Chapter 10, Problem 19STP

Summary Introduction

To judge:

The benefits or risks of stem cell research.

Introduction:

Stem cells are unspecialized cells that can undergo division and develop into specialized cells under the right conditions and with proper signals. These cells can specialize into various tissues, organs and organ system. They can remain in an organism for many years while undergoing cell division. There are two basic types of stem cells; embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.

Answer to Problem 19STP

Medical researchers should be allowed to use stem cells because their research would help the doctors in curing people with many ailments. Their research work would help in tissue and organ regeneration and treatment of many diseases.

Risks- There is ethical concerns about obtaining embryonic stem cells.

Explanation of Solution

Benefits of stem cell research- Stem cells have many uses. They have the potential to cure many genetic defects and medical conditions. They have the potential to repair cardiac tissue, restore vision and treat diabetes and paralysis. Scientists are eager to do research necessary to make stem cell treatment a regular part of health care.

Stem cells can be used to treat patients with spinal cord injury. Stem cells can be extracted from many parts of the body like bone marrow, skeletal muscle cells, cardiac cells, etc. and can be manipulated to generate nerve cells. These nerve cells are then transplanted to the site of injury in spinal cord where they replace the damaged cells.

Risks- There is ethical concerns about obtaining stem cells.Some stem cell researchers have experienced roadblocks in their studies because there are ethical concerns about the source of stem cells. Obtaining embryonic stem cells is controversial as consent of donor is not taken into account but obtaining adult stem cells is not that controversial as they can be obtained with the consent of the donor.