Stem Cells

“Embryonic stem cells...are in effect, a human self-repair kit,” (Christopher Reeve, activist – Larry King show). For the advancement of science, stem cells are infinitely valuable, especially when considering all the potential applications in the field of medicine. Stem cells usage is a very controversial topic, because most people think of abortions, cloning, and other negative topics when they here the term stem cells. However I think those thoughts are because they don’t understand what a stem cell is, where it comes from, or its monumental possibilities that could greatly benefit the human race.

There are already demonstrations of Stem cells possibilities, because treatment with stem cells has already begun. Stem Cells are valuable due to the fact that they are blank and they have the ability to divide and multiply indefinitely. Thus, theoretically stem cells could fix and even replace any damaged or lost cells within a body. They are easily found in early embryos, but the different variety of numbers for development seem to become less in the adult stem cells. The information above is only what we know right now, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. If we know stem cells can already contribute to helping cancer, curing paraplegics, and repairing/replacing cells, then obviously the more we know, the more useful the use of stem cells would become.

These helpful stem cells come from three types of cells, based upon their potential developmental capability. Though each of the types are obtained differently, they can complete their own set of useful functions. These are the Tortipotent, Pluripotent, and Multipotent stem cells.

The Tortipotent stem cells are found when the egg is fertilized/conceived. This type isn’t specialized, so can form many different tissues and cells. These are probably the most helpful, because they are immortal stem cells that can even create placenta and other tissues required in fetal development (Science Center,...