Stem cells are found in all multi-cellular beings. Embryonic stem cells, are a type of cell that are found in the early stage fetus. A recently new area of genetics called stem cell research allows human cells to be recreated from the cells of an embryonic stem cell. The idea of stem cell research has been promoted by many people, yet many oppose it as well. Some find it inhumane and immoral, and for others it is against their religion.
Recently, Belgian scientists effectively separated human embryonic stem cells into lung tissue. This is a giant medical step for man and will supply an alternative lung to people with lung injuries. Most of these lung injuries are either due to long-lasting pulmonary diseases or can be inherited genetically diseases such as cystic fibrosis. Scientists have also been able to successfully recreated heart tissue from stem cells. Blood and marrow derived stem cells have the capacity to become many different tissues.
Many different tissues thought to only regenerate by themselves. But further studies prove that stem cells can help reconstruct the tissue.
Acknowledgments:
-Stem Cells. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 9, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104191823.html for the stem cell information
-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Axkn8G18t8 for the youtube video
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Really cool article, this has a lot of potential for heralding even greater changes in stem cell research.
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