Running Head: A New Superhero: Stem Cells

Bailey 1

A New Superhero: Stem Cells

Blaze C. Bailey

e3 Civic High School

 Running Head: A New Superhero: Stem Cells

Bailey 2

It has recently been discovered that stem cells can be used to replace damaged tissue and

cure diseases, potentially saving millions of lives. This is partly due to the significant fact that

stem cells are able to develop into different types of cells, especially in the early stages of their

development. Among stem cells are various types cells that form more specifically or are limited

to certain cells that they can become.

For starters, there are pluripotent cells that have the ability to become any cell in the

body, and come from the embryos or fetal tissue of a human. Multipotent cells are more limited

in the sense that they can develop into more than one type of cell, but limited in differentiating

into more than a few cell lines (meaning how many times they can divide/change into a new,

more specialized cell). Lastly, there are totipotent cells that can form into all cells in the body,

even a fully developed human. The process of all these Stem cells is called differentiation and is

carried out by signals in the cells genes. These cells, especially embryonic cells, have been used

in experiments for years, even taken from mouse embryos in 1981. This led to the discovery of a

method that could derive the cells from a human and grow them in a laboratory. They also

discovered ...conditions [in which] specialized adult cells to be "reprogrammed" genetically

(Bethesda, MD, Stem Cell Basics I.) With this ability, people with deformities and diseases can

be benefited because new cells can be generated to replace damaged cells. Where once patients

with certain deformities had to live with it the rest of their lives, now there is better likelihood

that various cases can be cured in the future.

On the basis of injury, stem cells have been used to help paralysis victims in that it

restores feeling in parts of the body where nerves are damaged, specifically the Spinal Cord. The

stem cells come from a patients bone marrow, and/or human umbilical cord tissue because that

is where rich blood and tissue can better preserve the power of these cells. Umbilical cords are
 Running Head: A New Superhero: Stem Cells

Bailey 3

usually donated by mothers after normal, healthy births. The biggest benefit of using stem cell

treatments is that the recovery time is a lot faster, rather than the normal route of physical therapy

over several months. In animal studies, they have replaced the nerve cells that have died, and

used the new cells to reform the insulating nerve sheath (surrounds nerve cells with electrically

charged layer.) This could stimulate damaged cells to grow back. With the help of stem cells,

paralysis victims have a better chance of a more mobile, independent life.

Stem cell studies have also created an ethical dilemma, especially revolving around the

debate of when life begins. People with the belief that life begins with the embryo or sooner tend

to disagree with scientific interference or alterations, whereas people who think life begins at the

fetus or later tend to support prenatal advancements. Regardless of the publics belief, many

governments regulate stem cells studies. Scientists receive embryos from clinics with the donor's

consent, but that is only if there are extra cells. People for the research of stem cells argue that it

is benefiting people with diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, heart diseases, and various

birth defects. People also argue that it will give scientists more insight to the bodys function, and

that women who get an abortion can still use their cells for scientific progress, potentially

reducing the guilt that comes with aborting a baby. On the contrary, some argue that a fertilized

egg is still human life, no matter how old it is, or that we could gain knowledge for the

possibility of cloning humans, which could come with problems of dangerous artificial

knowledge. On a religious note, some also argue that we should not be trying to acquire

unworldly powers. I believe stem cells research is great opportunity to increase the quality of

life for people with various diseases and birth defects. Also, because the central nervous system

is not formed when the embryo is used for stem cell research, there is no inhumane abuse on the

part of the embryo, making it safer and more ethical. The benefits of this research greatly
 Running Head: A New Superhero: Stem Cells

Bailey 4

outweighs the disadvantages. All in all, stem cells provide a unique set of tools for both the

scientists and public to lead a more informed life. Scientists and the medical field can better

understand and discover the potential to cure and prevent diseases when they are more familiar

with the human body, and patients and civilians on the receiving end of this non harmful, safe

research have the potential for a healthier and happier life.

Works Cited
 Running Head: A New Superhero: Stem Cells

Bailey 5

NIH Stem Cell Information Home Page. In Stem Cell Information [World Wide Web

site]. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services, 2016 [cited February 3, 2017] Available at < //stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/1.htm>

New York State. What is the difference between totipotent, pluripotent, and multipotent?

NYSTEM New York State Stem Cell Science. Retrieved February 8, 2017 from

https://stemcell.ny.gov/faqs/what-difference-between-totipotent-pluripotent-and-multipotent

The Library of Congress. (August 23, 2010) What are stem cells? Everyday mysteries.

Retrieved February 8, 2017 from https://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/stemcells.html

Jocelyn Rice. (January 7. 2009). Stem Cells Undo Birth Defects. MIT Technology

Review. Retrieved February 9, 2017 from https://www.technologyreview.com/s/411569/stem-

cells-undo-

birth-defects/

Cord Blood Registry. (1995) Where do newborn stem cells come from? Cord Blood

Registry. Retrieved on Febraury 10, 2017 from https://www.cordblood.com/benefits-cord-blood/

umbilical-cord-stem-cells

29.5/30