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| What to Do With Stem Cells |
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Recently, Oregon researchers created embryonic stem cells by using adult skin cell from a monkey. Cloning was used in the process as well, but at the advantage of not using human embryos, which has engulfed the stem cell research program since its inception over eight years ago. Scientists were able to remove genetic material from monkey- egg cells, and then injected them with skin cell DNA. The embryos that developed were genetic clones of the adult and produced stem cells. On the heels of this discovery, researchers in Japan created human embryonic stem cells without using embryos at all. Cells called iPSC’s, (pluripotent state cells), are able to turn into any of the body’s 220 cell types, and appear to be functionally the same as embryonic stem cells. Research and studies continue to be performed on this process as previous process results had caused tumors to form. Great promise is expected to follow further studies however. iPSC’s continue to hold hope for a future in the cure of disease and cell replacement therapies. As research moves forward, the battle surrounding the ethics of stem cell research continues to be fought on the floor of the Senate and in political campaigns. As education is key in all aspects of life, so too, is the necessity of accurate, unbiased information for all individuals regarding this direction in scientific studies. |
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