Major Topics for Discussion:
1) What are Stem Cells?
2) What are the major types of Stem Cells and where are they found?
3) Advantages & Disadvantages to ESCs and ASCs
4) Why are Stem Cells so very important?
5) The Controversy over Stem Cells?
What are Stem Cells?
Stem Cells are extraordinary because:
• They can divide and make identical copies of
themselves over and over again (Self-Renewal)
• Remain Unspecialized with no ‘specific’
function or become . . . .
• Specialized (Differentiated) w/ the potential
to produce over 200 different types of cells in
the body
The Major Types of Stem Cells
- Embryonic Stem Cells
• From blastocysts left over from In-Vitro Fertilization in the laboratory
• From aborted fetuses
B. Adult Stem Cells
• Stem cells have been found in the blood, bone marrow, liver, kidney, cornea, dental pulp, umbilical cord, brain, skin, muscle, salivary gland . . . .
Why is Stem Cell Research So Important to All of Us?
ü Stem cells allow us to study how organisms grow and develop over time.
ü Stem cells can replace diseased or damaged cells that can not heal or renew themselves.
ü We can test different substances (drugs and chemicals) on stem cells.
ü We can get a better understanding of our “genetic machinery.”
What Human Diseases are Currently Being Treated with Stem Cells?
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Leukemia (Bone Marrow Transplants)
• Skin Grafts resulting from severe burns
Stem Cell Therapy has the Potential to:
• Regenerate tissues/organs
Cure diseases like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, etc
Why the Controversy Over Stem cells?
• Embryonic Stem cells are derived from extra blastocysts that would otherwise be discarded following IVF.
• Extracting stem cells destroys the developing blastocyst (embryo).
-Questions for Consideration-
Is an embryo a person?
Is it morally acceptable to use embryos for research?
When do we become “human beings?”
No comments:
Post a Comment