Human life is one of the most mysterious processes in the universe. From the beginning of written history, mankind has made many efforts to prolong life by attempting to cure disease or slow the aging process.
In recent times, one of the most important steps that have been made toward the goal of a longer and healthier lifespan seems to be the research regarding stem cells. If you are not a scientist or a medical researcher, the information that is available on stem cells and their applications might seem confusing or even frightening. Stem cell research can be explained simply by taking a look at the process.
Different Than Other Cells
Stem cells are actually found in every single organism that has more than a single cell. Stem cells are a sort of building block within the cellular structure of a living organism. These cells are different from a typical cell in two ways. First, a stem cell is able to divide continuously without the “stopping point” that other cells have within their design. Most cells replicate a certain number of times or for a period of time and then can no longer renew themselves.
A stem cell does not have this inherent limitation. Even after a long period of dormancy, a stem cell can begin to renew itself. Second, a stem cell is capable of remaining a stem cell or becoming any other type of cell within the body. Under the right conditions, a stem cell can become a brain cell or a muscle or tissue cell. There are very few limits to the capabilities of stem cells, making them unique in cellular structure.
Stem cells have been in the news since the early 1980s when scientists found that embryonic stem cells from mice could be harvested from mouse embryos. These cells could be induced to form tissues and even entire organs as the research progressed. Two different types of stem cells were identified at that time. Embryonic stem cells and somatic or “adult” stem cells have been a mainstay of stem cell researchers for almost 30 years.
Human embryonic stem cells have been used since the late 1990s in reproductive areas like in vitro fertilization procedures. Later, these cells were studied for use in organ and tissue growth and replacement procedures. In the United States, all embryonic stem cells come from embryos donated for scientific research purposes.
Controversy
In recent years, stem cell research and its potential has become a heated issue in both scientific and political circles. It is likely that this issue will remain controversial regardless of the impact that stem cells make on medicine and the longevity of mankind. Stem cells are a tiny part of the human body that have become a polarizing issue in the world of science.
