Health Sciences and Medicine: Stem Cell - Assignment Example

Stem Cell Research Stem Cell Research Introduction Stem cell research is probably the most promising medical research field in the world today. The research is on undifferentiated cells, which have the capability to specialize into any cell, tissue or organ of the body. Stem cells are easy to obtain in embryos compared to adults but it is possible to re-engineer some in the laboratory. Embryonic stem cells do not have many specialized cells compared to adults making them easy to work with. Organs and body systems of adults are already formed and do not have many undifferentiated cells. The only part undifferentiated cells can be obtained in adults is the bone marrow and the gut. The fact that stem cells are undifferentiated makes it easy to program them into any cell of the body or protein. This creates hope for the people with terminal and previously incurable diseases for example diabetes. Stem Cells Stem cells are pluripotent cells, which are not specialized. In embryos, the stem cells differentiate into the different organs of the body. In adults, stem cells are important in the repair mechanism, which replaces the damaged cells of the various organs and tissues of the body (National Institutes of Health, 2009). Stem cells divide continuously as long as a person is alive. The number of stem cells decreases with age. In this case, embryos have many stem cells, children lower stem cells but higher than the number in adults. Reduction in number of stem cells with progression in age is due to the specialization of the cells by forming tissues and organs. It is no wonder research focuses more on the embryonic stem cells. They are easy to obtain and easy to work with as many researchers confirm. The controversy of obtaining stem cells from embryos made scientists to focus on obtaining these important cells from the Umbilical cord with the authorization of parents to the child born (Bethesda, 2013). . Properties of Stem Cells Stem cells have two unique properties. One, they are not differentiated and can renew themselves even after a long period of inactivity. Second, stem cells can form any protein or organs of the body when induced under specific conditions (National Institutes of Health, 2009). Scientific research implies that different organs of the body develop at varying conditions. It is also possible to induce to perform certain functions of the body organs. Stem cells are readily available in embryos especially in the 5th to 8th day after fertilization of the ova and subsequent formation of the zygote (Cox, 2012). In adults however, stem cells are restricted to the bone marrow and certain sections of the gut where they divide and renew damaged organs cells and tissues. Stem cells are found in the pancreas and heart as well. However, the cells in these two organs do not renew or differentiate. Stem cells in the Heart and pancreas can divide under special conditions (Gonzalez and Bernard, 2012). Types of Stem Cells The there are three types of stem cells, embryonic, adult and induced pluripotent stem cells. Embryonic stems cells are those isolated from the blastocyst before implantation to the uterus. Blastocyst should be five to eight days old to obtain the embryonic stem cells (Cox, 2012). Obtaining embryonic stem cells necessitates the killing of the embryo. This caused mixed opinions on the use of embryos leading to heated debates and many controversies. For the embryonic stem cells to function properly, they have to be induced using specific signals. Not dong this makes the stem cells to differentiate into many types of cells, which can result to tumours. Adult stem cells are those found in adults as the name suggests. Adult stem cells are preferable to embryonic stem cells because they are not controversial and the fact that they do not cause organ rejection as frequent (Cox, 2012). Adult stem cells have successfully treated bone marrow conditions and leukaemia for many years. On the other hand, the induced pluripotent stem cells are adult cells induced in the laboratory to produce stem cells. Changing the genetic makeup of these cells facilitates the process by forcing the genes of the cells to acclimatize stem cell characteristics. Use of the induced pluripotent stem cells is relatively new and clinical trials are in process to confirm their efficacy (Cox, 2012). Curing Diabetes using Stem Cells Stem cells promise to change the lives of many people. There are many people in the world with terminal diseases, which make their lives a living hell. Stem cell research can reverse the conditions associated with many diseases. Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the world today. According to the World Health Organization (2013), more than 374 million people suffer from diabetes. More than three million people on average die due to diabetes related problems every year (World Health Organization, 2013). Stem cell research benefits could change the lives of these people and their families. Diabetes occurs because of the failure of the islets of Langer hans to produce insulin increasing blood sugar. According to Berna and colleagues (2001), stem cells can function as the cells of the islets of Langer Hans thereby producing insulin. Since it is possible to induce stem cells, to be like other cells or perform certain functions, selective genetic markers for producing insulin are used to induce these cells. The genes produce specific signals to the stem cells to produce insulin. It is important to note these protocols are done in vitro and then the insulin producing cells transplanted to the patient (Berna et al, 2001). Soria, Skoudy and Martin (2001) agree stem cells can be programmed to form beta cells to produce insulin. According to these authors, stem cells should be differentiated in vitro followed by linage selection. Once the cells mature, they have to be transplanted to the patient (Berna et al, 2001). The major benefit of using stem cell therapy for the treatment of diabetes is that they have unlimited growth. These cells keep on renewing as stated above. In this case, patients will always have beta cells to continuously produce insulin. Beta cells from stem cells have been found to be very responsive to glucose. The responsiveness of stem cells derived beta cells is relatively higher than normal beta cells. This is of great advantage to the patients because their bodies regulate glucose efficiently (Soria, Skoudy and Martin, 2001). Beta cells derived from stem cell can cure both types of diabetes; type one and type two. Researchers found out the best cells for producing the beta cells are the embryonic stem cells. Induced pluripotent stem cells are also used (Pattison, 2011). Adult human stem cells are also programmed to beta cells. Studies by Zaghouani and his team at the University of Missouri found out that a drug produced for type one diabetes Ig-GAD2 prevented the immune system from attacking beta cells (University of Missouri School of Medicine, 2013). This realization made the team to think beyond the box. They thought of getting the beta cells reactivated and did a number of experiments. The team subsequently found out that mixing the Ig-GAD2 and bone marrow cells reactivated the beta cells of the pancreas to produce insulin (University of Missouri School of Medicine, 2013). Although the team at the University of Missouri succeed in reactivating beta cells, many researchers claim that adult stem cells are limiting. The controversy surrounding the embryonic stem cells encouraged researchers to produce stem cells in the laboratories (Soria et al 2000). Conclusion Stem cell research promises to change the lives of people who have suffered from major diseases. Current research and studies in this field confirm stem cells can provide cure for almost all diseases. Use of stem cells is facilitated by their unique characteristics of self renewal and ability to be induced to produce any proteins or form any cells, tissues and organs. Extensive studies on stem cells and diabetes confirms that stem cells can provide the much needed cure for the condition. The best cells to be used are confusing to the researchers. Embryonic stems cells are the best because of their high pluripotent nature but the source is controversial. Adult cells on the other hand are not controversial but limiting. For stem cell research to succeed, it seems scientists have to create their own stem cells. References Berna, G. et al. ( 2001). Stem cells and diabetes. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 55(4), 206-212. Bethesda, M. (2013). Stem Cells and Diabetes. Retrieved from http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/scireport/pages/chapter7.aspx Cox, (2012). Stem cell research & therapy: types of stem cells and their current uses. Retrieved from http://www.eurostemcell.org/factsheet/stem-cell-research-therapy-types-stem-cells-and-their-current-uses Gonzalez, M and Bernard, A. (2012). Characteristics of adult stem cells. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 741, 113-20. National Institutes of Health. (2009). Stem Cell Basics. Retrieved from http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/pages/basics2.aspx Pattison, S. (2011). Type 1 Diabetes: how could stem cells help? Retrieved from http://www.eurostemcell.org/factsheet/type-1-diabetes-how-could-stem-cells-help Soria, B. Et al. (2000). Insulin-secreting cells derived from embryonic stem cells normalize glycemia in streptozotocininduced diabetic mice. Diabetes. 49, 157–162. Soria, B., Skoudy, A and Martin, F. (2001). From stem cells to beta cells: new strategies in cell therapy of diabetes mellitus. Diabetologia, 44(4), 407-415. University of Missouri School of Medicine (2013). Adult stem cells could hold key to cure type 1 diabetes. ScienceDaily. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130529154426.htm World Health Organization. (2013). Diabetes. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs312/en/ Read More