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List one advantage of using adult stem cells and one advantage of using embryonic stem cells?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Adult stem cells are useful when you want to make cells of the same tissue, as there is not much controversy about using them. Embryonic stem cells however are amazing as in the first few cell divisions they can turn into any type of cell, even a whole organ! However there is lots of ethical issues surrounding the use of these.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThey are not pluripotent.
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What type of cell are stem stem cell described as?
Stem cells are considered as undifferentiated cells. They will divide and divide forming more stem cells. The two main stem cell types are embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Only the embryonic stem cells can become any type of tissue. Embryonic stem cells have the potential to become any type of cell in the body. There is news as of 2015 that perhaps blindness can be cured using these embryonic stem cells.
Which parts of the human body contain stem cells?
There are two kinds of stem cells: Embryonic and adult. 1. Embryonic stem cells are found in embryos. An embryo develops from a fertilized egg, or zygote, and after about 4-5 days it reaches the stage where 50-150 cells are colonized. This means that one fertilized egg divides into 50-150 cells, which are considered embryonic stem cells. Also, they are totipotent, meaning that they can reproduce indefinitely, and can give rise to any type of cell. 2. Adult stem cells, or somatic stem cells, can be found in adult tissues throughout the human body. As adult stem cells are tissue specific, they are in the already developed tissues. Some examples of where you can find stem cells in the human body: Bone marrow= hematopoietic (blood) stem cells which differentiate into blood cells endothelial stem cells = diff. into blood vessels (arteries, veins) mesenchymal stem cells = diff. into bone, cartilage, muscle, fat, fibres Cord blood= blood stem cells (similarly to bone marrow) (Because of this similarity they might be considered as an alternative for bone marrow transplant.) fat = adipose stem cells, also similar to bone marrow, as they can differentiate into bone, cartilage, fat, and muscle. Stem cells exist also in human skin, mammary glands, placenta, lungs, and the brain (in which neural stem cells may or may not exist; it is up for debate). The main function of adult stem cells is to replace damaged, or dying cells. They are pluripotent. Therefore, they too can reproduce indefinitely. However, while embryonic stem cells are able to develop into any kind of cell, adult stem cells are more limited. Umbilical cord blood considered to contain "adult" stem cells, since they are not part of the embryo anymore. The use of embryonic stem cells for research purposes is a highly debated question. However, research done on using adult stem cells is more widely accepted. Adult stem cells, found in bone marrow and in umbilical cord blood, are used routinely today. Fortunately, pluripotent (adult stem cells) can be "reprogrammed", and, as a result, they could be regarded as equivalent to embryonic stem cells. Just for an interest: deciduous baby teeth (milk teeth, which babies shed) can also be used as a source for adult stem cells. Stem cells, with the ability to develop into different cell types, can be found not only in humans, but also in plants and animals.
What would be an advantage of using pluripotent cells instead of multi-potent cells for medical advantage?
Pluripotent cells can differentiate into almost any type of cell.
Why is using adult stem cells much less controversial?
Most likely because embryonic stem cell research is often associated with another controversial social issue-- abortion. Some (but not all) embryos used in stem cell research have been donated for research, but the donors are clinics which perform abortions. Also, even in cases that did not involve abortion, such as excess embryos from fertility clinics, some opponents of using embryos believe life begins when an egg has been fertilized, so therefore, the embryo represents human life, and to destroy any embryo to do stem cell research is thus immoral. Although not everyone agrees that a fertilized egg is the same as a human being, the pro-life community has been very vocal in opposition, keeping embryonic stem cell research mired in controversy. On the other hand, extracting adult stem cells does not require destroying an embryo nor does it affect a fertilized egg, so some pro-life supporters feel it is morally preferable to use adult stem cells for research. Unfortunately, adult stem cells are not as helpful to utilize in research because they cannot do some of the things that can be done with embryonic stem cells. Thus, this too is controversial, as scientists and researchers believe they are being hampered in finding cures for diseases because of the religious beliefs of certain people who oppose the use of embryonic stem cells.
What do you think is the reason why some people are against stem cell research?
The primary reason and most important reason is that some people are scientifically illiterate. They don't understand the science behind the research and they do not have even the basic education to begin to understand it. They don't even try to understand it and they let others try to explain it to them but those people often have some sort of agenda. Science itself is not good or bad, it is what is done with it. If all of society doesn't what to use this knowledge, a least we all have made the decision not just a handful. There are two methods of stem cell research. 1. Embryonic stem cell and 2. Adult stem cell. There is not somuch opposition of manipulating the stem cells from adult cells. On the other hand, Embryonic stem cell research involves the value of life. Thus the main issue for embryonic stem cell research is whether potential embryonic life should be treated with honor and human dignity. Which itself is only a religious viewpoint and not science fact.
Is using embryonic stem cells for research legally considered murder?
Using embryonic stem cells for research is not murder.
What type of cell are stem stem cell described as?
Stem cells are considered as undifferentiated cells. They will divide and divide forming more stem cells. The two main stem cell types are embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Only the embryonic stem cells can become any type of tissue. Embryonic stem cells have the potential to become any type of cell in the body. There is news as of 2015 that perhaps blindness can be cured using these embryonic stem cells.
Why do researches prefer to use embryonic stem cells instead of adult?
Because the (human) embryos are frozen and they are readily available and will be destroyed if not implanted in a womb of a potential mother. Unfortunately, people see the frozen embryonic cell as an opportunity to do science. Some researchers feel that throwing out frozen embryonic cells is a waste. A scientist goal is to improve the value of human life by finding a value in the human embryonic cell. It would be like using a person, without permission, to make another person either get better or live longer. The moral problem is that it takes the life of another human to gain the advantage for a supposedly superior being. Another reason is because of the promise of embryonic stem cells is just to consuming to a research scientist. They can make a lot of money, and cure some serious diseases by using the embryonic stem cell. Another reason is that the federal funds to do the research have been available since 2008. If the government sponsors this type of research, then more scientists will use the government (USA) money to keep their projects funded. It is important to know that even though initial tests in embryonic stem cells looked promising, more can also be done with adult stem cells, without harming the potential for human life. Also, so called hybrid-stem cells that can be reverted back to stem cell status from an adult stem cell has made big progress in 2011-12. Both hybrid and adult stem cell research can be done without hurting the potential for life.
What would you say to some that supports embryonic stem cells?
Using embryonic stem cells is unethical for many people, especially if they were only created for stem cell research.
Which parts of the human body contain stem cells?
There are two kinds of stem cells: Embryonic and adult. 1. Embryonic stem cells are found in embryos. An embryo develops from a fertilized egg, or zygote, and after about 4-5 days it reaches the stage where 50-150 cells are colonized. This means that one fertilized egg divides into 50-150 cells, which are considered embryonic stem cells. Also, they are totipotent, meaning that they can reproduce indefinitely, and can give rise to any type of cell. 2. Adult stem cells, or somatic stem cells, can be found in adult tissues throughout the human body. As adult stem cells are tissue specific, they are in the already developed tissues. Some examples of where you can find stem cells in the human body: Bone marrow= hematopoietic (blood) stem cells which differentiate into blood cells endothelial stem cells = diff. into blood vessels (arteries, veins) mesenchymal stem cells = diff. into bone, cartilage, muscle, fat, fibres Cord blood= blood stem cells (similarly to bone marrow) (Because of this similarity they might be considered as an alternative for bone marrow transplant.) fat = adipose stem cells, also similar to bone marrow, as they can differentiate into bone, cartilage, fat, and muscle. Stem cells exist also in human skin, mammary glands, placenta, lungs, and the brain (in which neural stem cells may or may not exist; it is up for debate). The main function of adult stem cells is to replace damaged, or dying cells. They are pluripotent. Therefore, they too can reproduce indefinitely. However, while embryonic stem cells are able to develop into any kind of cell, adult stem cells are more limited. Umbilical cord blood considered to contain "adult" stem cells, since they are not part of the embryo anymore. The use of embryonic stem cells for research purposes is a highly debated question. However, research done on using adult stem cells is more widely accepted. Adult stem cells, found in bone marrow and in umbilical cord blood, are used routinely today. Fortunately, pluripotent (adult stem cells) can be "reprogrammed", and, as a result, they could be regarded as equivalent to embryonic stem cells. Just for an interest: deciduous baby teeth (milk teeth, which babies shed) can also be used as a source for adult stem cells. Stem cells, with the ability to develop into different cell types, can be found not only in humans, but also in plants and animals.
What would be an advantage of using pluripotent cells instead of multi-potent cells for medical advantage?
Pluripotent cells can differentiate into almost any type of cell.
How many cures have been brought by using embryonic stem cells?
While the use of embryonic stem cells has brought about the creation of many potential cures for a number of diseases, only one for treating spinal cord injury is currently in the clinical trial phase.
What is advantage of using pluripotent cells instead of multipotent cells medical treatments?
Pluripotent cells can differentiate into more types of cells.
What is advantage of using totipotent cells instead of pluripotent cells for medical treatments?
Totipotent cells can differentiate into more types of cells.
What would be an advantage of using totipotent cells of pluripotent cells for medical treatments?
Totipotent cells can differentiate into more types of cells
What is an advantage of using pluripotent cells instead of multipotent for medical treatment?
Pluripotent cells can differentiate into more types of cells.
What would be advantage of using totipotent cells instead of pluripotent cells for medical treatments?
Totipotent cells can differentiate into more types of cells
