complete paralysis. Using Stem cells as a therapy, they replace the injured neurons. Using embryonic stem cells for transplantation is controversial because it is necessary to first create human embryos to produce the stem cells and then kill the embryos in the process of “harvesting” the stem cells. Apart from the controversy about creating and killing human embryos, stem cell researchers are faced with another challenge which is partly practical and partly ethical. The body’s immune system recognizes what is part of the body and what is not. Every cell in the body has protein molecules on the surface of the cell wall that identify the cell as being part of the body. There is a chance that the cells could be rejected and the immune system would attack them. The use of stem cells can be used for a lot of other great causes, when stem cells can be extracted in a more humane way, they could change the future of health care.Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Spinal Cord Injury and Stem Cell Therapy
After a spinal cord injury, many of the nerve fibers at the injury site lose their insulating layer of myelin. With this result, the fibers are not able to properly transmit signals between the brain and the spinal cord contributing to paralysis. Unfortunately, the spinal cord lacks the ability to restore these lost myelin-forming cells after trauma. Tissue engineering in the spinal cord involves the implantation of scaffold material to guide cell placement and foster cell development. These scaffolds can also be used to deliver stem cells at the site of injury and maximize their regenerative potential. When the spinal cord is damaged—either accidentally (car accidents, falls) or as the result of a disease (multiple sclerosis, infections, tumors, severe forms of spinal bifida, etc.) it can result in the loss of sensation and mobility and even in
complete paralysis. Using Stem cells as a therapy, they replace the injured neurons. Using embryonic stem cells for transplantation is controversial because it is necessary to first create human embryos to produce the stem cells and then kill the embryos in the process of “harvesting” the stem cells. Apart from the controversy about creating and killing human embryos, stem cell researchers are faced with another challenge which is partly practical and partly ethical. The body’s immune system recognizes what is part of the body and what is not. Every cell in the body has protein molecules on the surface of the cell wall that identify the cell as being part of the body. There is a chance that the cells could be rejected and the immune system would attack them. The use of stem cells can be used for a lot of other great causes, when stem cells can be extracted in a more humane way, they could change the future of health care.
complete paralysis. Using Stem cells as a therapy, they replace the injured neurons. Using embryonic stem cells for transplantation is controversial because it is necessary to first create human embryos to produce the stem cells and then kill the embryos in the process of “harvesting” the stem cells. Apart from the controversy about creating and killing human embryos, stem cell researchers are faced with another challenge which is partly practical and partly ethical. The body’s immune system recognizes what is part of the body and what is not. Every cell in the body has protein molecules on the surface of the cell wall that identify the cell as being part of the body. There is a chance that the cells could be rejected and the immune system would attack them. The use of stem cells can be used for a lot of other great causes, when stem cells can be extracted in a more humane way, they could change the future of health care.
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Very interesting, this shows where medicine can potentially go in the future. As far as the stem cells, they can now be made from any somatic cell (embryonic cells are no longer needed). These new cells are called iPS cells and Shinya Yamanaka just won the noble prize for creating them.
ReplyDeleteThe advancement of stem cell research sometime seems like a work of science fiction. With how much of the body that can be fixed through this therapy, it almost makes it seem that humans can one day become practically invincible.
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