Stem cells in the body that have the potential to turn into anything such as a liver cell, a brain cell, or blood cells (hematopoietic stem cells). Blood cells can develop into red blood cells that carry oxygen; white blood cells that fight infection; or platelets that help blood to clot. Stem cells are at the heart of an ongoing debate over scientific research versus ethical beliefs. What important facts should we all know about stem cells?
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A brief list of the ailments that embryonic stem cells may someday be
used to treat include Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, Alzheimer's
disease, stroke, skin burns, arthritis, birth defects, diabetes and heart
disease.
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By turning into bone cells, nerve cells and other types of cells,
embryonic stem cells develop into the specialized cells that create bone, nerve
and other tissues in the human body.
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Carbon-14 produced by Cold War nuclear bomb testing has enabled
researchers to determine that the heart can regenerate itself (very slowly)
thanks to stem cells.
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Doctors have used skin stem cells to grow entire sheets of epidermis in
a lab (only with no hairs or sweat glands). This skin can be used as grafts for
patients with severe burns.
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Embryonic stem cells are derived from eggs fertilized in the laboratory,
not in a woman's body. The eggs are less
than a week old. The embryonic stem cells are then donated for research
purposes with the informed consent of the donors.
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Human stem cells can also be used to test new drugs and in medical
treatments that now require organ donors. The need for organ donors currently
outweighs the available supply.
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In 1998, scientists first learned how to isolate human embryonic stem
cells. They were developed for infertility purposes through in vitro
fertilization.
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In bodily tissues like bone marrow and muscle tissue, adult stem cells
generate replacements for bone and muscle cells that are lost through injury,
disease, or normal wear and tear.
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Opponents of embryonic stem cell research believe that embryos should
not be used in stem cell research because those embryos are unborn children.
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Researchers discovered stem cells in the dental pulp of human tooth. As
time goes by, stem cells continue to be found in new parts of the body.
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Since 1993, approximately 20,000 patients have received umbilical cord
blood transplants. This is for mostly treating leukemia and blood disorders in
children.
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Thanks to stem cells, you get all new skin approximately every four
weeks, a new stomach lining every few days, and two million new red blood cells
every second.
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There are two main types of stem cells: adult stem cells and embryonic
stem cells.
“Many good Christians are
confused about complex social issues of our day, such as doctor-assisted death
or medical research which uses stem cells from human embryos. They wonder, 'Why
shouldn't science use discarded fetuses for research?' And if someone finds his
medical condition intolerable and hopeless, 'why shouldn't he have the legal
right to end his life?' Although the Bible does not address these issues in
particular, it does provide guiding insights.” (Joni Eareckson Tada) [i]
[i] Sources used:
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“Fast Facts on Stem Cells” by ABC News
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“Stem Cell Transplants” Reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
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“Top 5 Facts: Stem Cells” by How It Works
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