STEM CELLS

Stem Cells



Why embryonic stem cell research should be studied?

Introduction

Embryonic terms are used by scientists to describe many different processes involved in making duplicates of biological material. In most cases, some genes or cells are duplicated for scientific study, and no new animal results. The experience led to the embryonic of Dolly the sheep in 1997 is different: He used a embryonic technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer and resulted in an animal is a twin gene - although delayed in time a primitive sheep.(Barrilleaux 2006) This technique can also be used to produce an embryo from the cells called embryonic stem (ES) cells can be extracted for use in research into potential therapies for a wide variety of diseases.

So, in the past five years, much of the scientific and ethical debate on somatic cell nuclear transfer is focused on two possible applications: 1) for the purposes of reproduction, ie to produce a child, or 2 ) to produce a source of ES cells for research.

Embryonic for reproductive purposes

The technique of transferring a nucleus from a somatic cell into an egg that produced Dolly was an extension of the experiment will continue for more than 40 years. In simple terms, the techniques used to produce Dolly the sheep - somatic cell nuclear transfer embryonic - involves removing the nucleus of an egg and replacing it with the diploid nucleus of a somatic cell. Unlike sexual reproduction, during which a new organism is formed when the genetic material of egg and sperm fuse with nuclear transfer embryonic have a single genetic "parent". This procedure also differs from previous methods of embryonic, because it does not exist in an embryo.( Jiang 2002) Dolly is different because it is not genetically unique, when he was born into a genetically identical sheep on the strength of six years. Although Dolly's birth was hailed as a success, in fact, the technique is not developed and it is not yet clear whether Dolly will stay healthy or if it is already subtle problem that can lead to serious illness. So the prospect of applying these techniques to people is a concern for scientific reasons and safety in addition to a variety of ethical reasons related to our ideas about the natural order of families and subsequent generations.

Scientific uncertainty

Several important questions remain about the science and safety of embryonic by nuclear transfer from adult cells as the source of nuclei. To date, five mammalian species - sheep, cattle, pigs, goats, and mice - are widely used in the study of reproductive embryonic. Data from experiments that illustrate the problems that arise. In general, very few embryonic attempts are successful. Many cloned animals die in utero, even in advanced stage or shortly after birth, and those who survive often have severe birth defects. In addition, female animals carrying cloned fetuses may face serious risks, including death from complications associated with embryonic.

Another concern is whether the cellular aging affects the ability of somatic cell nuclear program of normal ...