Stem Cells Promise Medical Breakthroughs
The world around us constantly changes thanks to breakthroughs in science and technology. ... A recent research on special cells called stem cells also promise a similar breakthrough for our health. Stem cells are special cells that are able to reproduce themselves infinitely into any type of tissue and be easily transplanted into patients without the need for immunosuppressive drugs. These properties of stem cells make them very important since they could cure many degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Diabetes, heart diseases, and neurological diseases among others. The discovery of these cells dates back to 1960. ... Stem cells must be obtained from a blastocyst—the state of a fertilized egg that occurs after six days. Cells obtained from the blastocyst are known as embryonic stem cells. ... Alternatively, scientists must turn to other types of stem cells like adult stem cells, which are obtained from the bone marrow. The disadvantage of adult stem cells is that they cannot be stimulated to grow into any type of tissue. ... And the unavailability of these cells forces researchers to store them. Storing the cells however, can result in genetic ‘mistakes’ in them.