Stem cells breakthrough and seeds of hope

I will answer some questions based on a video we saw in class, this time about stem cells in order to understand better the topic of study.

1) Why are stem cells considered so valuable for medical research?

Because stem cells can be the cure for many diseases.


2) Why did the researchers have to narrow the spectrum of genes within stem cells? (video 1)

Because they need to find the specific genes for stem cells from wich they could revert the biological clock and produce new stem cells.


3) What are the sources of stem cells and the advantages and disadvantages associated with using each?

The stem cells that are used are the one from embryos. The advantages of this is that stem cells can create and heal any organ because they can specialize and regenerate any organ damage. The disadvantages is that in order to produce this, apparently you need to create life and then take the stem cells from embryos, but the problem is that they do not survive wihout them.
4) What are the three cases presented at the beginning of the second video?

We see a hockey player with spinal cord damage do to an injury.  then we see a young man with diabetes and finally a baby with a disease called taysachs, wich cause the inhability to produce enzymes vital for brain cells survival.


5) How might a stem cell be used to treat spinal cord injuries?

Stem cells can replace the damage cells by adding a scaffold filled with stem cells that replace the damaged area, Stem cells react and reproduce spinal cord cells repairing the damage.

6)Explain the outcome of the experiment with injured rats presented in the second video?

The outcome was incredible because  within 2 months of treatment, rats with spinal cord damage that should not walk, were walking almost normally.

7) What issues surround the debate over of stem cell research?

Mainly Ethic issues, because the stem cells retrieve from a embryo does not survive.


8) What issue do you think needs to be debated as we make decisions about stem cell research?

One of the most important issues to be debate, is about manipulating life and taking away one life for the benefits of another being.