What is stem cell research?
Answers:
It is more complicated than I can explain here, but I can give you an outline.
There are many types of cells. As a nonspecific rule, once a cell becomes a certain type, it can't go rear or become another type. What makes stem cells special is that you can think of them as a "blank-slate" cell. Under the right conditions, a stem cell can be prompted to become any type of cell within the body. They can even become new nerve cells. stem cell exist in adult bodies, but they are tricky to work with and don't readily turn into the types of cell you want. However, the potential uses of stem cells mean that nerve bring down could be repared or, if removed and genetically modified before being reintroduced to the body, they could possibly cure some genetic dissorders.
The controversy comes from the fact that an embryo's stem cell are much more active and they more readily turn into whatever you want them too. Researchers create an embryo, grow it for a little while, and consequently destroy it to harvest the stem cells. To some, this is see as equivalent to abortion because a unique human is destroyed.
A stem cell is a cell that has the potential to become any cell (ie. it has not differentiated into a specific type of cell, eg. skin cell)
Therefore most stem cell research focuses on finding and conducting tests ways in which to use stem cells to benefit the medical world. (eg. harvesting them and growing them into organs for organ transplant)
Related Questions:
