Stem Cell Research

If we can get past the debate and argument of stem cell research and therapies then the future of this type of technology is very promising. Today researchers and physicians are working to design stem cell therapies that are more effective, and reduce the invasiveness and the risk of patients (Stem cell therapies in the future, 2004).

We are currently relying on stem cell therapies that rely on cells that are donated by another person. The increases that chances of donor cell rejection by the patient's immune system. In the future we will more then likely use stem cell methods that require us to use a sample of the patient's own stem cells to regenerate tissue, which will eliminate the danger of rejection. Some of the ways this might be made possible is as follows:

Collecting healthy adult stem cells from a patient and manipulating them in the laboratory to create new tissue. The tissue would be re-transplanted back into the patient's body, where it would work to restore a lost function.

Therapeutic clonig might enable the creation of embryonic stem cells that are genetically identical to the patient.

One less invasive way to achieve this goal would be to manipulate existing stem cells within the boy to perform therapeutic tasks. For example, scientists might design a drug that would direct a certain type of stem cell to restore a lost function inside the patient's body. This approach would eliminate the need for invasive surgical; procedure to harvest and transplant stem cells.

Today scientists still don't know everything there is to know and understand about stem cell research, and whether or not adult stem cell therapies are better then embryonic ones or vice versa. The technology in this area is increasing at a very rapid speed. Today stem cell therapies are used in three different effective and efficient areas that save lives.

1. Adult Stem Cell Transplant: Bone Marrow Stem Cells

2. Adult Stem Cell Transplant: Peripheral Blood Stem Cells

3. Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplant

Stem cells are cells within the body that have the potential to develop into one or many kinds of cells. Stem cells potentially could treat or cure many diseases and conditions. These include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, heart