Stem Cell Research

Stem Cells are different from other cells. These are the cells which has capacity of renewing themselves through cell division. These cells mature into different specialized cells which helps in new medicine by replacing the diseased tissues or cells into healthier ones. For Example - In cancer treatment, the normal cells are destroyed either due to radiation or chemotherapy so these dead cells can be replace by healthy cells with the help of stem cells.
There are two types of stem cells - Embryonic stem cells and non- embryonic stem cell (somatic adult stem cells).

1) Embryonic Stem Cells - They are derived from an embryo that develops from the egg fertilized in the clinic by in-vitro fertilization. In -vitro Fertilization is the procedure where the egg and sperm unite outside the body (laboratory) instead in the female uterus. These cells are used for the research purposes. Embryonic stem cells can generate all cell types in the body and hence they can be produced in endless numbers.
Diseases that could be treated using embryonic stem cells are cancers, blood diseases, auto-immune diseases, genetic diseases, spinal cord injuries, blindness, etc.

2) Non- Embryonic or Adult Stem Cells - They are the cells which are seen in organs and tissues like bone marrow, brain, muscles, skin, liver, heart, ovarian tissues, etc. They reside in a specific area of the tissue. These stem cells are small in number in each tissue. So if these cells are removed from the body they cannot divide further and hence no more stem cells are available from that tissue. Hence to avoid this problem researchers tried to grow the adult stem cells in the laboratory so that it can be used any time.
Adult stem cells are very important element of the human body and present in each and every tissue but remains dormant for the years. It start dividing into the cells whenever there is serious injury to the body. Hence doctors can treat the patients with the help of their own stem cells.

How to isolate the adult stem cells
Depending on the tissues they can be isolated. For example, the blood stem cells can be taken from the blood in the umbilical cord of baby after the birth, from donor's bone marrow or from normal person's blood.
It can be also isolated from the amniotic fluid which is present around the fetus in the uterus. Amniotic fluid contains the fetal cells which has capacity to make different tissues.
Bone marrow is the richest source of stem cells. Umbilical cord is the second richest source of stem cells. As mentioned above, cord cells are extracted during pregnancy and stored in cryogenic cell banks for future use. Cord cells is not only used by the child but also by mother, father or others too. Cord cells are easily accepted if it is used in close relationship family members.

Uses of Stem Cells

• Testing of drugs - The stem cells could be useful to test new drugs. Example - If the researchers want to test or screen the drugs it can be done effectively on differentiated cells generated from the human stem cell lines.
• Treatment of heart disease - In future stem cells can generate the healthy heart muscle cells or stimulate the growth of new blood vessels that regenerates the heart functions. Thus heart diseases like hypertension, heart failure or stroke can be prevented.
• Regeneration of hair follicles - The latest research was conducted on mouse by the Japanese scientist and the study showed that the hair follicles can be regenerated from adult stem cells. It also helps to generate the fully functional hair follicles and hair growth.
• Destroy the HIV cells - The recent research conducted on mice showed that the engineered human stem cells has capacity to attack and kill the HIV infected cells.

Risks of using Stem Cells

• There are some debate against using embryonic stem cells because embryonic stem cells are generated from the embryos which is a live entity. Extraction of stem cells from this live cells means the destruction of the embryo which is considered as murder. Hence many people are against use of stem cells from embryos.
• During the research of use of stem cells for Parkinson's disease showed that the 20% of mice died due to brain tumor.
• Some complications are seen after the stem cell transplant like organ damage, secondary cancers, failure or rejection of stem cells and death.
• There is the risk of uncontrolled growth of cells. Embryonic stem cells has capacity to regenerate and large number of such cells are required during the transplantation of stem cells. Hence the possibility of cell growth or tumors are more likely.
• Before transplantation, certain medicines are given which are immunity suppressants. If the immunity is suppressed that means the more chance of contracting the illnesses like infections, HIV and cancers. The drugs used are very toxic to the body.
• Stem cell research is still in the developing phase but some clinics offer the stem cell treatment with full guarantee in order to gain more money. But it is necessary to understand that there are some limitations in stem cell therapy too as it is not fully developed or researched.