Find an Acupuncturist,
Chiropractor,
and more...

Advertisement

Healthcare Today Technology and Procedures

Dissecting the Stem Cell Controversy

Jan. 12, 2007—Earlier this week, researchers announced that they had found a rich supply of stem cells in the amniotic fluid which surrounds an embryo.

This announcement comes on the heels of months of debate over the use of stem cells for research, and it may signal a complete shift in the argument against using these cells in the lab. Amniotic cells seem to hold the same promise as cells taken from a human embryo, say the researchers. Moreover, these cells can be harvested without putting either the mother or fetus at risk.

It remains to be seen if amniotic stem cells hold the same promise as embryonic stem cells. While, in theory, embryonic stem cells can be directed to grow into any type of cell, many more tests need to be done to find out if amniotic stem cells have the same potential.

“Our hope is that these cells will provide a valuable resource for tissue repair and for engineered organs as well,” said Dr. Anthony Atala, senior researcher and director of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

So, until this work can be done, the controversy over embryonic stem cells will likely continue. Here’s a quick guide to all of the issues involved:

The Beginnings of Life
Stem cells are essentially building blocks for the body; they have the potential to develop into every type of cell, tissue or organ. There are two types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells, which are found in a developing embryo, and adult stem cells, which are found in particular organs of adults. The hope of stem cell research is that there may be a way of implanting these specialized cells so that they can replace other cells impacted by disease.

What diseases can they help?
While researchers are nowhere near using stem cells to treat diseases in humans, supporters say that stem cell technology can help a range of health problems from Parkinson’s disease to heart disease and even paralyzation.

Recently, stem cells were successfully activated in the brains of mice, showing potential for use in Parkinson’s patients. Additionally, once-paralyzed rats have shown movement in their limbs after their spine was implanted with embryonic stem cells. These findings, and the many like them, seem to show the unique power these cells hold.

Why are stem cells controversial?
The controversy over stem cell research focuses mostly on how they are obtained. Embryonic stem cells are removed from a developing embryo only a few days after fertilization. Ideally, scientists could create an embryo from scratch by combining an egg and sperm from willing donors, but this method is considered inefficient and wasteful, as there are a large number of embryos that are discarded everyday at fertility clinics. Still, the National Institute of Health banned creating embryos for stem cell research.

Page 1 of 2 Next Page >>