STEM CELL DEPATE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

STEM CELL DEPATE - Essay Example These exceptional cells originate from blastocyst inner cell mass that is a young embryo about five or four years old (Holland et all, 2001). These cells are pluripotent making them unique. Thus, it is easy to characterize these cells differently into any o f the germ layers existing in the body of humans like mesoderm, ectoderm, and endoderm. The endoderm comprises of lungs, intestines, and stomach. The mesoderm is mostly the bone, muscle, and blood. This leaves ectoderm with nervous system and the skin. These cells can repair any human body part, making the embryonic stem cells special. Another element of these cells is that they are able, in any circumstances, to replicate themselves for an indefinite period. The fact these cells can produce themselves in unlimited numbers, and have characteristics of becoming any types of 220 cells, it easy to use in medicine for medical research and regenerative therapy (Holland et all, 2001). Damaged or lost tissues due to injury or disease are easy to for replacement or repair by new tissues developed from administered embryonic cells. Once there is administration of stem cells into the patient body, they move to the damaged place, multiply and engraft, replace the destroyed cells, and restore the functions of the body in the area. Embryonic stem cells can treat diseases such as genetic diseases, juvenile diabetes, blindness, spinal cord injuries and cancer. The technology can also deal with different conditions. The technology can treat major diseases; therefore, it is necessary to use it. What is the ethical challenge about using and harvesting stem cells? The major controversial issue of this research is the state of human embryo. The embryo dies when its inner cell mass is taken. This is because inner mass cell is responsible for formation of the three human body germ layers. Without these cells, the embryo will not develop. People opposing the use of