|
What are Human Embryonic Stem Cells?
Stem cells are cells that have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells for as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each "daughter" cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.
How are Stem Cells used?
Currently, stem cells are primarily used in transplant medicine to regenerate a patient's blood and immune system after they have been treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation to destroy cancer cells.
At the same time the chemotherapy and radiation destroys the cancer cells in a patient, they also destroy stem cells. Therefore, an infusion of stem cells or a stem cell transplant is performed after the chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment. The stem cells then migrate to the patient's bone marrow where they multiply and regenerate all of the cells to create a new blood and immune system for the patient.
The promise of using stem cells for medical treatments has been the focus of research projects that are showing encouraging results.
- Cord blood stem cells have been "triggered" to differentiate into neural cells, which could lead to treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
- They have also proven their ability to turn into blood vessel cells, which could some day benefit treatments for heart disease, allowing patients to essentially "grow their own bypass."
Potential Cures:
Scientists believe Stemcell Research will help cure, treat and prevent many diseases, conditions, and disabilities including but not limited to the following;
Diabetes, Cancer, Arthritis, Parkinson's Disease, Leukemia, Alzheimer's Disease, Lou Gehrig's Disease, Spinal cord injuries, Osteoporosis, Heart Disease, Kidney Disease, Brain Damage, Stroke, Burns, Blindness, Baldness, plus many more!
|
|
