Stem cell research through its history, applications, advantages/disadvantages and controversy

1
Stem cell research through its history,
applications, advantages/disadvantages and
controversy

• By
• Chad Moore, Darko Kovac, Eric Fisher, and Matt
  Crews

2
What is a stem cell?

• An undifferentiated cell that can be programmed
  for future use.
• Derived from a human embryo
• Building block for an organism

3
The Process
4
History

• Relatively new branch of research (started in
  1990s)
• In 1800s scientists identified cells as building
  blocks
• 1900s discovery of blood cell origins in bone
  marrow
• 1996 first animal cloned (Dolly the sheep)

5
History

• Dolly the sheep
• Medical complications and premature aging linked
  to a age of the parent cell
• Questions were raised about the future of a
  project
• Other animals cloned

6
History

• 1990s the debate over the research begins
  worldwide
• 1998 Wisconsin University isolated stem cell from
  the human embryo
• 1999 research found that cells are cancer free
• Same year congress bans use of human embryo in
  research

7
History

• 2000 Japanese government submits human cloning
  laws with severe consequences
• European Parliament cuts funding to any stem cell
  research University
• Scientists use pig eggs and human cells in
  cloning legal since it is not 100 human
• Scientists programmed stem cell into insulin
  producing cell that can reverse diabetes
• Dolly the sheep dies from lung and arthritis
  complications in February of 2003

8
Controversy

• Religious debate- Is it morally right?
• Are scientists playing God?
• Are the reasons for the research justified by its
  cost?
• Is saving lives worth destroying others?
• Should scientists be allowed to decide the limits
  of this research?

9
Controversy

• People opposed to the research believe that
  taking stem cells from embryos is murder
• Anti-abortionists stand firm on this principle
• Churches are divided some are for the research
  and some arent
• U.S. Roman Catholic Bishops oppose the research
  as immoral, illegal and unnecessary
• The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations
  approve they believe that An isolated
  fertilized egg does not enjoy the full status of
  personhood

10
Controversy

• Are the results that could possibly arise from
  this research worth the death that it causes?
• Scientists say that most of the embryos used in
  research are destined to be discarded anyway and
  no one seems to mind that.
• Scientists yearn for the embryos so that they may
  be able to help mankind

11
Engineering Aspects

• Types of Stem Cells
• Embryonic Stem Cells
• Two Methods
• Engineers receive embryos from IVF clinics and
  culture the cells
• Engineers isolate stem cells from fetal tissue of
  terminated pregnancies.

12
Stem Cells from Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

• Take normal animal egg cell and remove nucleus
• Material left behind in egg cell contains
  nutrients and energy producing materials
  necessary for development
• Somatic cell put next to egg cell and fused

13
Process
14
Adult Stem Cells

• Found in some types of adult tissue
• Originally thought that no pluripotent stem cells
  in humans, but research may prove otherwise
• Mouse muscle stem cells have grown neurons
  instead of muscle
• Engineers must isolate, purify, and grow cells in
  a large quantity
• Easier to use because there would be no risk of
  rejection

15
Current Research

• Focused on how cells differentiate
• How genetic and environmental signals trigger
  cells

16
Application

• Heart Disease
• Generic stem cells grown into cardiac cells
• Hearts grown from stem cells (no rejection)
• Diabetes
• Islet Cells do not produce insulin
• Transplant pancreas or islet cells
• Cancer
• Cancer cells resemble stem cells
• Tell cells to stop dividing
• Cell Failure

17
Stem Cell Advantages and Disadvantages

• Advantages
• Lower risk of disease relapse
• More effective than bone marrow transplant
• Less painful process for donors
• Lower risk of getting viruses and diseases
• Cheaper than bone marrow transplant

• Disadvantages
• Unsure of long term success
• Continuing research could make price higher than
  bone marrow transplant
• Many steps before getting correct genetic
  compound
• for contamination of the cord blood with blood
  from the mother
• graft-versus-host disease