What are the advantages and disadvantages of embryonic stem cells?

Table 1

Stem cell type	Limitations	Advantages
Embryonic stem cells	(1) Ethical dilemmas (2) Possible immune rejection after implantation (3) Only a small number of differentiated cardiomyoctes can be generated (4) May lead to teratocarcinomas (5) Genetic instability	Can differentiate into cells of all three germ layers

Why is cloning embryonic stem cells a Holy Grail for scientists?

Ever since human embryonic stem cells were discovered, scientists have had high hopes for them because the cells can morph into any kind of cell in the body. The idea is that such a close match would prevent their bodies from rejecting the cells. “It’s been a holy grail that we’ve been after for years,” says Dr.

Should embryonic stem cells be used for research?

Research with embryonic stem cells may lead to new, more effective treatments for serious human ailments and alleviate the suffering of thousands of people. Diseases such as juvenile diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, heart failure and spinal cord injuries are examples.

Is embryonic stem cell research legal?

Stem cell research is legal in the United States, however, there are restrictions on its funding and use. A number of states restrict research on aborted fetuses or embryos, but in some cases, research may be permitted with consent of the patient.

What are the benefits of embryonic research?

The potential benefits of embryo research include discovering new ways of treating diseases, injuries and organ failure. Embryonic stem cells can be manipulated in the lab to develop into any type of cell in the body.

When was the first human embryo cloned?

THEY WERE SUCH TINY DOTS, YET THEY HELD SUCH immense promise. After months of trying, on October 13, 2001, we came into our laboratory at Advanced Cell Technology to see under the microscope what wed been striving forlittle balls of dividing cells not even visible to the naked eye.

How do scientists clone stem cells?

The cloning procedure works by combining a patient’s body cell with an unfertilized egg cell from a donor. The patient’s skin cell is inserted into the outer membrane of the egg cell and chemically induced to begin developing into a blastocyst. In the blastocyst, embryonic cells divide, producing a mass of stem cells.

What is embryonic stem cell research used for?

A primary goal of research on embryonic stem cells is to learn how undifferentiated stem cells turn into differentiated stem cells that form specific tissues and organs. Researchers are also interested in figuring out how to control this process of differentiation.

Can stem cells be obtained from human embryos?

When stem cells are obtained from living human embryos, the harvesting of such cells necessitates destruction of the embryos. 2. How are adult stem cells different from embryonic stem cells? Adult stem cells (also referred to as “non-embryonic” stem cells) are present in adults, children, infants, placentas, umbilical cords, and cadavers.

Can you donate embryos for stem cell research without consent?

People who donate leftover embryos for research go through an extensive consent process to ensure that they understand embryonic stem cell research. Under state, national and international regulations, no human embryonic stem cell lines can be created without explicit consent from the donor.

What is the history of embryonic stem cell research?

In November of 1998, scientists reported that they had successfully isolated and cultured human embryonic stem cells—a feat which had eluded researchers for almost two decades. This announcement kicked off an intense and unrelenting debate between those who approve of embryonic stem cell research and those who are opposed to it.

Is it possible to isolate human embryonic stem cells?

Scientists have been attempting to isolate and culture human embryonic stem cells for more than a decade. Using 14 blastocysts obtained from donated, surplus embryos produced by in vitro fertilization, the Wisconsin group established five independent cell lines.