A question that inevitably pops up when stem cells come into conversation is the legality of them.
Over recent years we have had presidents such as Regan and Obama champion the research and use of them, and other presidents such as George W. Bush put more stringent policy on them.
To clear the air about possible misconceptions when it comes to stem cells, we want to educate you on the different kinds of stem cells that are possible for use in treatments.
So, what types of stem cells are there?
First, there are embryonic stem cells. They originate from human embryos that are 3-5 days old.
Using a process called “in-vitro” fertilization and embryo is fertilized in a lab rather than the female body.
Also known as pluripotent stem cells, they can reproduce just about any other type of cell in your body.
Second, Non embryonic (adult) stem cells.
The name may be slightly misleading because these same cells can be found in infants and children.
Coming from developed organs and body tissue, your body uses them to replace and repair damaged tissue in the SAME are in which they are found.
Third, induced pluripotent stem cells.
In recent times, researchers and scientists have found a way to turn adult stem cells into induced pluripotent stem cells.
Again, these stem cells can turn into any other kind of cell in the body.
How do scientists do this?
They basically “reprogram” the adult stem cells to behave like IPSC’s.
Currently research is underway where scientists are figuring out how to reproduce these cells safely.
Their goal is to be able to turn cells from something as simple as one’s own skin into these to be able to treat diseases safely.
Finally, cord blood stem cells and amniotic fluid stem cells.
Cord blood stem cells are much like they sound.
They are harvested from the umbilical cord blood AFTER childbirth has occurred.
There have been successful cases of these cells being used to treat children with diseases such as leukemia and genetic blood disorders.
Additionally, stem cells can be found in amniotic fluid.
This is the fluid surrounding the child inside the mother’s womb.
More research is currently needed to help understand the uses of these kinds of stem cells.
Much controversy surrounds the world of stem cells.
Although adult stem cells don’t present an ethical problem, there is a lot of question surrounding how embryonic stem cells are obtained.
During the harvesting of stem cells from an embryo, the embryo is destroyed.
This is where the moral dilemma comes in for those who believe destroying a fertilized embryo is wrong.
This is where most of the confusion for those not yet educated about the different kinds of stem cells that are available in the human body.
Not all treatments use these kinds of stem cells and there is still much regulation and policy surrounding them.
Despite the controversy, there is still much to be learned from all forms of stem cells.
There are many reports of successful treatments when it comes to stem cells and other growth factors and we’re excited to see where the future of this research leads us.
