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8/8/2019 Final Biology Essay
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stem cells is known as potency. Multipotent stem cells can produce cells of a
closely related group while unipotent stem cells can produce just one cell type.
Totipotent cells are produced from the fusion of the egg and the sperm cells.
During the first few divisions, that a fertilized egg undergoes, it produces
totipotent cells. Germ layer is a collection of cells formed during animal
embryogenesis. Pluripotent cells can differentiate into the cells, which are derived
from any of the germ layers. Embryonic stem cells are cell cultures that are
derived from the epiblast tissue of the inner cell mass of a blastocyst, an embryo
that is 4-5 days old. Human embryonic stem cells need the basic fibroblast growth
factor. Embryonic stem cells still remain untested. Adult stem cells, however, can
create a cell like themselves as well as more differentiated cells. Mostly they are
multipotent. Adult stem cells are a natural solution. They naturally exist in our
bodies, and they provide a natural repair mechanism for many tissues of our
bodies.
They belong in the microenvironment of an adult body, while embryonic
stem cells belong in the microenvironment of the early embryo, not in an adult
body, where they tend to cause tumors and immune system reactions. Most
importantly, adult stem cells have already successfully used in human therapies
for many years. As of this moment, no therapies in humans have ever been
successfully carried out using embryonic stem cells. New therapies using adult
type stem cells, on the other hand, are being developed all the time. These cells
have already shown success in treating blood or bone cancers. There are three
germ layers stem cells can be found in: endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm.
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Research has shown that stem cells can, not only differentiate into specialized cell
types but they also retain their capacity to regenerate themselves by cell
divisions. Stem cells of the inner cell mass in blastocysts develop into other
tissues of the body. The multipotent stem cells in adults act as the wear and tear
system of the body. Science has not yet been able to conclude the presence of
pluripotent stem cells in adults.
As stem cells can repair damaged tissues, they can be used to cure certain
diseases related to brain or heart damages and the spinal cord. Stem cells have a
potential use in gene therapy as well. Embryonic stem cells are supposed to be of
great use in the treatments for nervous system disorders. Because of the fact
adult stem cells naturally exist in our bodies, they cannot be easily transferred
into young embryos or young developing bodies (children). Not only can adult
stem cells cause problems in embryos and kids but any variation of stem cells can
grow in a different form once in the position originally introduced to that specific
stem cell. This usually results in the growing of excess bone marrow, which could
be extremely hazardous to the people who had stem cells replace their heart
tissue or other vital organ areas. Stem cells require tons of effort to maintain a
stable environment where they can be coaxed into what they need to be
replacing. Most stem cells are pluripotent which gives them the potential to
differentiate between any of the three germ layers. This advantage of
pluripotency means that stem cells can become virtually any of the about 220
cells in our bodies. There is a special division of stem cells called
Hematopoietic Stem Cells. HSC is a stem cell that is isolated from the blood or
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bone marrow that can renew itself, can differentiate to a variety of specialized
cells, can mobilize out of the bone marrow into circulating blood, and can undergo
programmed cell death called apoptosis. These cells are currently more commonly
used for transplants with cancer patients. HSCs are responsible for creating
immune system and blood cells. Stem cells are very diverse, interesting cells,
whos possibilities may only be limited by imagination.
In vitro fertilization is one of the more shady sides of early assisted
reproductive technology. At first IVF was thought of as a joke or more simply,
scientists showing off. Most of the early fears about IVF were that IVF would turn
us into child producing machines. Alas, IVF didnt create legions of less-than-
human children, nor did it destroy the regular family. IVF was simply a new way to
create children through assisted reproduction. There was a frenzy trying to ban
IVF because IVF was a hodgepodge of unregulated activities with absolutely no
support from the public or the government. IVF involves the production of extra
embryos that, eventually, would be unceremoniously destroyed. IVF research
came to somewhat of a compromise with the public by making a rule that
scientists must have a special regard for the potential of human life. Despite
this agreement, the government has never sponsored a single research grant for
IVF, thus making it a private science.
The politicians seemed to have taken charge in the matter of IVF and have
now divided cloning into two categories, therapeutic cloning and reproductive
cloning. Even though the politicians seemed to have taken over, it took nearly
twenty five years to realize that IVF children are at increased medical risk. After
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IVF medical risks were looked into it was revealed that one third of all IVF
pregnancies resulted in twins or triplets, doubling of the miscarriage rate, a
tripling of the rate of still births and neonatal deaths, and a fivefold increase of
ectopic pregnancies. The weights of IVF babies are also more commonly less that
the regular about five and a half pounds. Test-tube babies (IVF babies) are twice
as likely to develop some sort of birth defect or chromosomal or musculoskeletal
differences. Although many problems with IVF came to light the worst of the fears
have been dispelled as myths.
Therapeutic cloning is an excellent way to heal many types of diseases.
Therapeutic cloning starts with the same procedure as is used in adult DNA
cloning. The resultant embryo would be allowed to grow for perhaps 14 days. It's
stem cells would then be extracted and encouraged to grow into a piece of human
tissue or a complete human organ for transplant. The end result would not be a
human being; it would be a replacement organ, or piece of nerve tissue, or
quantity of skin. The first successful therapeutic cloning was accomplished in
2001-NOV by Advanced Cell Technology, a biotech company in Worcester, MA.
If therapeutic cloning using embryos is successful, then perfectly matched,
replacement organs could become freely available to sick and dying people. That
would save countless numbers of lives, and increase the quality of life of
countless others. Three possible examples of therapeutic cloning might include
the use of insulin-secreting cells for diabetes; nerve cells in stroke or Parkinson's
disease; or liver cells to repair a damaged organ. There would probably also be
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side benefits resulting from the research. Further advances in understanding of
how organs regenerate would increase the range of possible treatments that
could be considered. In the United States during 1998, more than 50 disease
advocates and scientific societies, representing such concerns as diabetes,
blindness, Parkinson's disease, glaucoma, AIDS, Down Syndrome, cystic fibrosis,
stroke, lymphoma, infertility and cancer recently sent a letter to the members of
Congress urging them to support federal funding for stem cell research.
Unlike other cloning, therapeutic cloning does not strive to make whole
humans. Instead, it makes embryos as a source of embryonic stem cells for
therapeutic purposes. Because embryonic stem cells can grow into any body of
the body cells, they might be cultured into nerve cells, skin cells, and even hair
follicles for the bald. The obvious use of therapeutic cloning would be treating
deadly diseases like diabetes and Parkinson's where a specific type of cell has
died. It's a good bet that replacing those cells would restore health. Therapeutic
cloning research would end in this country, however, if restrictive legislation
passes the Senate. But society is already willing to tolerate the death of lab-
created embryos during in-vitro fertilization. Therapeutic could be one of the best
new technologies in medicine.
Stem cells have, so far, proven to live up to, and in some cases exceed, our
high standards. These incredible small cells can completely remake the medical
universe. In both the fields of science and medicine, stem cells have struck awe
and wonder into the many healed by their amazing properties.
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