Stem cell technology is a

rapidly developing field that combines

the efforts of cell biologists, geneticists,
and clinicians and offers hope of
effective treatment for a variety of
malignant and non-malignant diseases.


Stem cells
cells capable of self renewal
survive well
show stable division in culture
Found in:
Multicellular organisms
Two broad types
( in mammals)
Embryonic stem
cell
Adult stem cells
Three accessible sources
Bone marrow
Adipose tissue
Blood
Potential benefits to research
participants undergoing stem cell
transplantation and to society
Risks to society and direct risks to
research participants undergoing
stem cell transplantation
Clinical studies and stem cell animal
experiments, using both rodents and non-
human primates, suggest that stem cell
transplants may be used as an alternative
to fetal tissue in cell restoration strategies
for Parkinsons disease but still, the
likelihood of success depends on the age
of the patient and the severity of
symptoms of Parkinsons disease.
One major social risk in using embryonic
stem cells as a source for neural
transplantation is that new embryonic
stem cell lines would have to be created.
However, most of the risks of stem cell
transplantation will be directed to
research participants
Allows researchers to determine the
components of a disease and thus
create better tools for diagnosis and
treatments. This is also known as
regenerative medicine.

Inappropriate stem cell migration
and neurological Complications

Research participants receiving stem cell
transplants may be at risk of
experiencing neurological complications
owing to stem cell migration from the
graft site to inappropriate regions of the
brain through white matter tracts.
Stem cells have potential for
treatment of many malignant
and non-malignant diseases
Graft-versus-host disease:
A potential risk when stem cells
come from donors
This condition occurs when a donor's
transplanted stem cells attack your body.
Graft-versus-host disease can be mild or
severe. It can occur soon after your
transplant or months to years later.
Neurosurgical hemorrhage and
postoperative Infection

A hemorrhage can arise from the
transplantation instrument injuring blood
vessels, which may lead to stroke or
stroke-like syndrome, including sensory
loss, weakness or other neurological
problems.
The risk of hemorrhage and infection
from neurosurgery cannot be minimized
for stem cell transplantation procedures;
as such risks depend on brain anatomy
or postoperative care rather than the use
of different surgical instruments, the
neurosurgeon or the transplantation
protocol.
A risk associated with FVM tissue
transplantation is the transmission of
infectious agents from donor FVM tissue
The risk of contamination from tissue culture
and cryoprotectant media may also result from
the handling of stem
cells.
Transplantation of infected stem cells

Neuronal stem cells are being used
for neuron replacement in
neurovegetative disorders such as
Parkinson's and Huntingdon's
diseases


While there are many potential
health benefits of stem-cell research,
many ethical issues have been raised as
well. Noting that embryonic stem-cell
research uses fertilized human eggs for
experimental and research purposes,
many people consider the practice
unethical or contrary to their religious
beliefs.
Ethical concerns have
focused mainly on the use of
embryonic stem cells in research
and their possible application in
medicine.
A core issue has been the
source of embryonic stem cells.
Until recently, these were obtained
from embryos that were by-
products of assisted fertilization
attempts; these could be voluntarily
donated for use in research.

More recently, UK law was
changed to allow researchers to create
human embryos for use in research, so
that embryonic stem cells could be
extracted. The key difference here was
that new human embryos were being
created specifically for research.
Some argue that the use of
embryonic stem cells is not justified,
because alternatives are available,
such as adult stem cells or, more
recently, induced pluripotent stem
cells.
Most scientists counter that
research on embryonic stem cells is
still needed to clarify fundamental
biological mechanisms and because it
is not yet clear which types of stem
cell will prove the best bet
therapeutically. Use of pre-14-day
embryos, still little more than a ball of
cells, would therefore remain justified.
Another area of controversy is the advancement
of stem cell technology for the purpose of someday
cloning human beings. Some argues that the more we let
research continue into stem cells, scientists will eventually
be able to clone organs, and then someday have the
capabilities to attempt human cloning, which is morally
and ethically wrong.

In general, science is advocating the
research of stem cells because of the great
promise of their medical benefits. The aim of all
people in favor of stem cell research is the relief
of suffering to those who have diseases that
could be solved through stem cell technology.
END