Stem cells from infants for research

In summary, stem cells from infants are used for research but it is not possible to make cells from other people live in your body, and your body would reject and kill those cells.
  • #1
Jarfi
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So we use stem cells from infants for research, but do they never take those stem cells and use it to treat people, is it not possible to make cells from other people live in your body? would your body reject and kill those cells?
 
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  • #2
Jarfi said:
So we use stem cells from infants for research, but do they never take those stem cells and use it to treat people, is it not possible to make cells from other people live in your body? would your body reject and kill those cells?
Stem cells aren't taken from infants but harvested from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_embryogenesis. These stem cells are desirable because they are pluripotent meaning they can give rise to any cell in an adult body. Downsides are that embryonic stem cells are always going to be in short supply because to get them you have to use discarded embryos from IVF treatments, you cannot fertilise a human egg for research.

You do raise a good point about using cells already in the body. First thing to mention would be that we do have adult stem cells (adult in this context means anything after birth) which live in our bodies and naturally give rise to different cell types. The problem is adult stem cells are not pluripotent and can only give rise to a few cell types, locating a useful adult stem cell and using it is difficult but an active research goal. Secondly is a very exciting field of research into inducible pluripotent stem cells. iPSCs are normal cells that are "reprogrammed" into pluripotent stem cells. So far methods to do this are potentially dangerous because they involve inserting DNA sequences into the genomes and so could cause cancerous mutations (although in recent years advances are removing this problem
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v458/n7239/abs/nature07864.html). Also the methods are abysmally inefficient producing very low amounts of cells.

However the field has great potential and is advancing along many different lines, for my money far better control of cell behaviour (tissue engineering) and reliable, efficient iPSC production will near-revolutionise medicine.
 
  • #4
What about stem cells in a person's cardiac tissue? http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/02/15/MNFG1N7GR0.DTL
 
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  • #5


I can provide a response to the use of stem cells from infants for research. First, it is important to understand that stem cells have the unique ability to develop into different types of cells in the body. This makes them valuable for research as they can be used to study and potentially treat a wide range of diseases and conditions.

In terms of using stem cells from infants for research, it is currently a common practice. The reason for this is that infants have a higher number of stem cells compared to adults, and these cells are more versatile and easier to manipulate in the laboratory. Additionally, using stem cells from infants eliminates any potential ethical concerns that may arise from using stem cells from adults.

Regarding the question of whether these stem cells can be used to treat people, the answer is yes. Stem cells have shown great potential in treating various diseases and conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, and certain types of cancer. However, it is important to note that these treatments are still in the early stages of research and development, and more studies are needed before they can be widely used.

As for the concern about using stem cells from other people and the possibility of rejection, this is a valid concern. When using stem cells from a donor, there is a risk of rejection by the recipient's immune system. This is why researchers are working on developing techniques to use a patient's own stem cells, known as autologous stem cell therapy, to reduce the risk of rejection.

In conclusion, the use of stem cells from infants for research is a valuable and ethical practice that has the potential to greatly advance our understanding and treatment of various diseases. While there are still challenges to overcome, the potential benefits of this research are significant and should continue to be explored.
 

What are stem cells and why are they important for research?

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into different types of cells in the body. They are important for research because they can be used to study and understand how different diseases and conditions develop, as well as potentially be used to develop new treatments and therapies.

How are stem cells from infants different from other types of stem cells?

Stem cells from infants are often referred to as "embryonic" stem cells, as they are derived from embryos that are only a few days old. They are different from other types of stem cells because they have the ability to develop into any type of cell in the body, whereas other types of stem cells may have more limited potential.

What are the ethical concerns surrounding the use of stem cells from infants for research?

Some ethical concerns surrounding the use of stem cells from infants for research include the destruction of embryos, as well as the potential for exploitation of vulnerable populations. These concerns have led to regulations and guidelines for the ethical use of stem cells in research.

What are the potential benefits of using stem cells from infants for research?

The potential benefits of using stem cells from infants for research include the ability to study and potentially develop treatments for a wide range of diseases and conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, and diabetes. They also have the potential to provide a renewable source of cells for medical treatments.

What is the current state of research using stem cells from infants?

Research using stem cells from infants is an ongoing and evolving field. While there have been promising developments, there is still much to learn about their potential uses and limitations. There are also ongoing debates and discussions about the ethical implications of using these types of stem cells for research purposes.

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