Stem Cell Theraphy

This research paper will discuss the important and relevant subject of stem cells. We will begin with a brief background on what they are and how they are currently being used. Then reflect a bit on current developments in stem cell research and some exciting treatments and possible therapies and how they may be used in the future.

The central important characteristic of stem cells is that they are primitive unspecialized cells that have the potential to develop into numerous different or specialized cell types. They begin as unspecialized cells because they have not yet decided or committed to a particular path where they will develop, form or help repair a specific type of tissue or organ. This means that stem cells can divide and become muscle cells, liver cells, blood cells or various other types of cells with specific abilities and functions. Currently there are multiple clinical trials and extensive research underway in this arena. What is their ultimate potential, exactly what limits if any are there on the types of cells and tissues that can develop and how best to turn them on to accomplish these tasks in the most effective and efficient manner?

When we speak about using stem cells in medicine most people are familiar with the following two methods. The first involves adult stem cells that are present in all humans in relatively small numbers. The adult stem cells have been used quite effectively over the past 30 years in bone marrow transplant procedures with encouraging results. These types of cells tend to be tissue specific which means that they can not develop into all the cells of the body but only a few different types. Since these cells can only create a few specific types of tissue and hence organs they are referred to as multipotent or sometimes somatic stem cells.

The second method that is known involves fetal stem cells and one of the most common procedures involves umbilical cord blood. Blood from the umbilical cord contains some volume...