Stem Cell Research - Breaking New Ground

Stem Cell Research - Breaking New Ground
Stem cells have the capability of growing into any type of cells found in our body. Till recently, stem cell research has used stem cells harvested from leftover embryos created during fertility treatment, the ethicality of which has been questioned because the embryos are destroyed in the process.

In the past few months, scientists have reported several alternatives to the use of embryonic stem cells. Scientists at Australia's Griffith University have successfully used adult stem cells instead of embryonic stem cells. They have grown many types of cells like heart cells, nerve cells and liver cells from the stem cells harvested from the human nose.

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In a similar breakthrough, the Harvard University scientists have produced an embryonic stem cell from an ordinary skin cell, thus eliminating the need for destroying embryos to harvest them. Researchers at the Kingston University in Britain have discovered cells in the umbilical-cord blood that can be used to engineer body tissues and organs, in a manner similar to embryonic cells.

The researchers have also successfully produced these cells also referred to as cord-blood-derived-embryonic-like stem cells, or CBEs, in quantities large enough to be used for treating patients.

All the new techniques that have been developed are devoid of side effects like tumors and rejection by the body, which usually accompany the use of embryonic stem cells. Though still a beginning, the latest breakthroughs will soon put an end to the embryonic stem cell controversy.