FETAL STEM CELL RESEARCH

Fetal Stem Cell Research

Fetal Stem Cell Research

Introduction

Stem cells are found in plants and animals, but most of the moral issues involving human stem cells. These cells have two important properties: (1) can divide to form other cell types and (2) can be divided indefinitely, i.e., they are potentially "immortal." There are three main types of stem cells. A totipotent stem cell can divide to form any cell type in the body as well as a complete organism; one example is that a fertilized egg (zygote). A pluripotent stem cell can divide to form different types of body cells such as neurons or heart cells. A multipotent stem cell can divide to form cells of a specific type of blood stem cells can form different types of blood cells such as red and white blood cells, but not divide to form cells of the liver or pancreas.

Stem cells can be obtained from the adult (e.g., bone marrow or brain tissue), umbilical cord blood from the placenta, and embryos. The human embryonic stem cells (HES) are harvested from the inner cell mass of the embryo at the blastocyst stage, about 1 week after conception. The sources of embryos are aborted fetuses, but more often surplus embryos donated by fertility clinics. The stem cells can be harvested from embryos made by cloning from adult cells of the body.

Stem cell research is promising because the stem cells could be used to grow replacements for damaged body cells such as neurons to treat victims of spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease. Other diseases that could be treated include heart disease and diabetes. One day, whole organs can be grown.

Discussion

There has been virtually no opposition on moral grounds to research in adults, umbilical cord blood, placenta and stem cells (placenta, which ...