Stem cells Chapter 7.4

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Stem cells have remarkable potential. They can develop into many different cell types.

Internal repair system In many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells.

Given their unique regenerative abilities Stem cells offer new potentials for treating diseases such as: Diabetes Heart disease Cancer Parkinson's Research continues to grow as people begin to understand the implications.

Stem cells may be pluripotent or multipotent. Pluripotent They’re able to make cells from all three basic body layers, so they can potentially produce any cell or tissue the body needs to repair itself. They are also able to self-renew, meaning they can perpetually create more copies of themselves. Stem cells that can give rise only to a small number of different cell types are called multipotent, and are usually adult cells.

Future research However, much work remains to be done in the laboratory and the clinic to understand how to use these cells for cell-based therapies to treat disease, which is also referred to as regenerative or reparative medicine

Controversy The largest controversy with stem cell research is the use of an embryo. This deals with the controversies surrounding laws and beliefs regarding contraception, abortion, and in vitro fertilization. There are laws that regulate how cells are obtained, and there are ways that parents can donate placenta for research or to harvest later for “personal” use.