Stem Cell Therapy

IMPACT ON MANKIND AND ECONOMY

CELL

THERAPY

STEM

SOCIAL & ETHICAL ISSUES

CURRENT KNOWLEDGE & TECHNOLOGIES

Stem cell therapy is the use of stem cells to treat or prevent a disease or condition by injecting them into the part of the injury. Stem cells can differentiate into all different cell types that make up your body. They can replace damaged or old specialised cells. There are two types of stem cells, adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Stem cells can be obtained from the nerve, skin, liver, pancreatic, red blood and heart muscle cells. Stem cells are used for Neurodegenration, brain and spinal cord injury and many other conditions and diseases.

One type of stem cells is embryonic stem cells. It is obtained from blastocyst which is an embryo at an early stage. People against embryonic stem cell research compare the destruction of an embryo to an abortion. They believe that the embryo constitutes life because it has the potential to fully develop into a human being. They believe that is it wrong and unethical to destroy one life to save another.

Impact on mankind:Scientists are now studying to directstem cells to differentiate into specialised cells. Hence, there is apossibility to provide a renewable source of replacement cells for those suffering from diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease, leukaemia and diabetes.

Impact on economy:By using stem cell therapy, thousands of dollars can be saved. Take people with diabetes for example, they spend large amounts of money to purchaseinsulin. They can undergo stem cell therapy to replace dead insulin-producing cells and cure their diabetes. They will save more money going through one surgery than buying insulin to inject everyday.

By using stem cells and throwing away the embryo, it is thought that human life is not valuable. Many religious groups have censured embryonic stem cell research. Other arguments state that since adult stem cells are currently being used in therapies, there is no need to use embryonic stem cells.

References:www.stemcellsforblood.orghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cellwww.explorestemcells.co.uk/

FUTURE SCOPE

In the future, scientists aim to study development and disease, test new medical treatments and to replace damaged cells and treat disease. Stem cells help us understand how complex organisms develop and in many it is difficult to get hold of the cells to model a disease in the lab, to better understand what goes wrong. For now, primary human liver cells are the best cell type used to test drugs. they cannot survive for a long time and don't have the ability to multiply. However, stem cells can be used to make specialised liver cells that can be used to screen and test new drugs.

embryonic stem cells

adult stem cells

By Athalie LimJanna WongLauren SynKlarissa WongSonia Wong 1M