Stem Cells is the hottest subject area in medicine today. Even the White House administration has decided to give more funding to research. Now there has been some controversy of cell supplementation and using embryonic stem cells.
What are stem cells?
These cells can be thought of as “master” cells. You’ve probably heard about the controversy of embryonic stem cells in the news. These cells are found in human embryos, but are also found in adult tissue. They have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain any type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.
In the last few years, there has been massive strides in research. Scientists are now able to transform adult skin or brain cells into embryonic-like cells in the laboratory. Just like natural embryonic stem cells, these changed cells can make all the body’s cell types. This amazing ability is known as pluripotency – ‘having several potential outcomes’. It is the basis for the hope that it will one day help fight illnesses like diabetes, Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease. Tech New Master
Stem cell therapy, using bio-cells extracted from the same patient or biosuitable alternative human sources, targets diseases which are either incurable or with no complete or effective treatment available in the traditional healthcare system. Since this therapy is based on the concept of regenerating damaged cells in the injured or disease-affected areas of the body, it is called regenerative medicine.
The power of our own bodies and cells is unlimited. Scientists recently have been able to create new teeth using stem cells. Veterinarians are also using stem cell therapy to treat animals.
The future of medical science is here.
