Stem Cell ResearchKathryn GreeneEnglish 12 Advanced

Why Stem Cells?

WHAT ARE STEM CELLS?Embryonic

They are stem cells found in the inner cell mass of a blastocyst and they are undifferentiated.

The cell function has yet to be established (i.e. heart cell, muscle cell, etc.)

A common place in which embryonic stem cells are found is in a baby’s umbilical cord.

Cord Blood Registry

WHAT ARE STEM CELLS?

Adult Somatic They are undifferentiated

stem cells found with differentiated cells .

Although they are undifferentiated , these cells already have a set role in maintaining and repairing a certain tissue or organ.

Background Stem cell research began in 1998

when Dr. James Thompson of the University of Wisconsin became the first person to document his research of stem cells.

First discovered with mouse stem cell research.

Why mice?

The procedure done on the mice proved to be successful and paved the way for human stem cell research.

What was the procedure done? Why was the procedure successful

with the mice?

BACKGROUND Early human stem cell research did not prove

successful until the 1970’s. Somatic adult stem cells proved to be less successful

because they are already differentiated. Embryonic stem cells had more possibilities because

they were undifferentiated and were able to divide for a longer period of time.

CONTROVERSY?

MORAL WRONG Pro-Life advocates state “The major cost of continuing such research outweighs any possible benefits”

Abortion to the nth degree

EGGS FOR MONEY Scientist have such a

high demand for embryo’s that they are paying women to “donate” their eggs.

Black Market Purposely terminating

pregnancies Life threatening effects

due to the drugs used while donating

Embryonic Adult

CELEBRITISM

SPLIT DECISION

NEGATIVES

POSITIVES

Thymus

Epithelium

Skin Cell

Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells (GRNOPC1)