Has no specific function

Differentiates into different types of cells› Turns into mature cells from all organs in the body

2 types of stem cells› Non-embryonic (adult stem cells)

From born human Found in blood, bone marrow, baby teeth, umbilical cord blood, placenta, brain,

liver, fat

› Embryonic From early stages of embryo (4-5 days)

Known as blastocyst

Classes of stem cells› Totipotent

Differentiate into any typeof human cell

Can form placenta cells› Pluripotent

Differentiate into any cell inthe body, after birth

Cannot form placenta cells Embryonic stem cells

› Multipotent Differentiate into small number of cells Adult stem cells

http://www.kumc.edu/stemcell/images/background.jpg

From embryos› Inner cell mass (ICM) is taken from a blastocyst

Single Cell Embryo Biopsy› Single cell taken from ICM of

blastocyst

Nuclear Transfer› Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer(SCNT)/ Altered Nuclear Transfer (ANT)› DNA of somatic cell transferred to

egg

Parthenotes› Unfertilized eggs stimulated

http://dels.nas.edu/bls/stemcells/images/Nuclear-Transfer-Download.JPG

Life begins at conception

Immoral to create an embryo to be destroyed

No guarantee that it will lead to cures› May be rejected by body› Generate tumours

Create a demand for eggs› Exploit women

Adult stem cells can be used instead

Certain amount of time before embryo can be considered human

Embryonic stem cells created in lab can not grow into a body

Adult stem cells are not as easy to use› Not as versatile› Small quantities and difficult to isolate

Legality varies from country to country

Canada› Legal to create new lines from leftover

embryos› Nuclear transfer is illegal› Research leading to human cloning or

human-animal hybrids illegal

http://www.mbbnet.umn.edu/scmap/monitor.jpeg

Make "tailor made” organs for patient

Can create disease specific cells for cell therapy

Understand normal cellular development

Can treat many conditions› Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS,

Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal cord injuries, blindness, diabetes and many others

Alternate Methods for pluripotent stem cells. (2008, August 12). Retrieved December 10, 2008, from National Institutes of Health Web site: http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/scireport/2006Chapter8.htm

 Altman, L. J. (2006). Bioethics: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Who Decides. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow

Publishers, Inc.

A World of Approaches to Stem Cells. (2005, July). Scientific American, Retrieved December 10, 2008, from Science Reference Center database.

 Barber, N. (Ed.). (2002). Encyclopedia of Ethics in Science and Technology. New York: Facts on File Inc.

Black, L. (2006). The Stem Cell Debate. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow Publishers, Inc. Canada Moves Stem Cell Law. (2004, March 19). Retrieved December 9, 2008, from

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/303/5665/1745d

Des Cheres, E. (Ed.). (2007) Stem Cells. New York: Thomson Gale.

FAQs [Stem Cell Information]. (2008, September 12). Retrieved December 14, 2008, from National Institutes of Health Web site http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/faqs.asp