Stem Cells

What are Stem Cells?

Stem Cells: Cells that do not yet have a specific function or job in the organism.

Where do we get Stem Cells?

Adult Stem Cells (multipotent): found in bone marrow, circulating blood, baby teeth, and umbilical cord blood.

Where do we get Stem Cells? Adult Stem Cells: Harvested from living persons with their permission and without any harm to the donor.

Where do we get Stem Cells? Embryonic Stem Cells (pluripotent): Found in a developing human embryo, 3-5 days after fertilization when it is about 150 cells big. Stem cells are found inside this cluster.

Where do we get Stem Cells? Embryonic Stem Cells: Donated by fertility clinics. These unused embryos are donated with the couple’s knowledge and consent.

Why do Scientists want Stem Cells?

Why do we want Stem Cells? Stem cells are currently used to treat over 70 diseases including leukemia, breast cancer, anemia, and some immune diseases.

Why do we want Stem Cells? In the future, stem cells may also be able to treat Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, stroke, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, and burns.

Why do we want Stem Cells? Many public figures are in support of stem cell research.

Why are Stem Cells Controversial?

Why the Controversy? Adult stem cells (multipotent) –Pros: No harm to donor when they are collected –Cons: only have the potential to become about 10 different types of cells and they may be rejected by the recipient.

Embryonic stem cells (pluripotent) Pros: Scientists believe that pluripotent cells can be developed into any of the 200 types of cells with little chance of rejection by the recipient.

Embryonic stem cells (pluripotent) Cons: Using embryonic stem cells involves removing the stem cells from the embryo, destroying the embryo before it can develop.

Stem Cells Found 3-5 Days after fertilization

Therapeutic Cloning Combines cloning with embryonic stem cell therapy. The nucleus from a cell of a person with a disease or injury, like a spinal cord injury, is cloned. Then 3-5 days later, the embryo growth is stopped and the embryonic stem cells are used to fix the injury or disease.

Pros: cells are pluripotent, no waiting on transplant lists, and little chance of rejection because it is their DNA Cons: the embryo is destroyed

Government Guidelines Government funded embryonic stem cell research is currently allowed, but only if the couple has given consent to use the extra embryos from IVF treatments. New embryos may not be created just to be researched. No therapeutic cloning

Homework Stem cell research and funding, especially of embryonic stem cells and therapeutic cloning can be a political and controversial topic. Take the survey form to see what you think, and then interview your family members about what they think You may have to teach them what stem cells are before they can answer.

What do you think?

What does your family think? Should the US continue to allow research and/or funding on embryonic stem cells?

What do you think? 2. Should the US continue to allow research and/or funding on embryonic stem cells? 3. Should cloning be allowed on humans to further advance stem cell research? (The stem cells would be taken from the embryo 3-5 days after fertilization and the clone would not be born.)