Stem Cells by Sea Assakul

Stem Cells
Stem cells are a class of cells that are undifferentiated meaning they have not turned into a specific cell therefore they are able to differentiate into specialised cell types. There are two main sources of stem cells: From Embryos formed during the blastocyst phase of embryological development (embryonic stem cells). From Adult tissue (adult stem cells) also known as somatic stem cells.

The embryos that are used are usually extras from an IVF clinic, this is where several eggs are fertilized in a test tube, but only one is implanted into a woman and the excess are used for their stem cells. The blastocyst phase, in humans begins approximately five days after fertilisation. The blastocyst consists of an inner cell mass and an outer cell mass; the outer cell mass will become part of the placenta, and the inner cell mass is a group of cells that will change and become all the structures of an adult organism. The Embryonic stem cells come from the inner cell mass. When the inner cell mass is removed from the blastocyst it is placed into a culture dish containing a nutrient rich broth. Lacking the stimulation required to differentiate, the stem cells begin to divide and replicate while maintaining their ability to become any cell type in the human body. These undifferentiated cells can then be stimulated to create specialised cells. The adult or somatic stem cells exist throughout the body and can be found in tissues such as the brain, bone marrow, blood, blood vessels, skeletal muscles, skin and the liver. These stem cells remain in a dormant or non-dividing state until activated by a tissue injury or disease. Once stem cells have divided and propagate in a controlled culture, the collection of healthy, dividing and healthy undifferentiated cells are called a stem cell line. The stem cells are then categorised by their potential to differentiate into other types of cells. Embryonic stem cells have the greatest potential to differentiate since they must become every type of cell in the human body.

Embryotic Stem Cell

History of Stem Cell Research

The history of stem cell research has been fairly tainted with debate and controversy. Robert Hooke was the first to discover the cell in 1665 thinking that cells were empty structures. Stem cells were first discovered in 1978 in human cord blood; cord blood is blood taken from a new born babys umbilical cord. In 1998, James Thompson was the first to isolate cells from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst and developed the first embryonic stem cell lines. Then in 1999 and 2000, scientists discovered that by manipulating adult mouse they could produce different cell types meaning that cells from bone marrow could produce nerve or liver cells and cells in the brain could produce other cell types. These findings during such a short period of time were encouraging for the field of stem cell research, and promised the greater scientific control over stem cell differentiation.

Ethical issues around the World

Embryonic stem cell research offers great hope for new therapies but there are still many on-going ethical debates. Embryonic stem cell research poses a moral dilemma; it forces us to choose between two moral principles, to prevent or help people who are suffering through research or to respect the value of human life. To obtain embryonic stem cells, the early embryo has to be destroyed denying the developing embryo a human life. On the other hand, embryonic stem cells can be used for research which has the potential to lead to the discovery of new medical treatments that would help people who are suffering. This issue can be easily resolved by how one views the embryo, is it a person?

Stem cell treatment regulations in Thailand

Before 2009, there were no specific regulations monitoring scientists researching human stem cells in Thailand. This was due to the fact that the Thai FDA regulations at the time did not cover stem cells because they are not a food or drug. On 27th March 2009, the Thai FDA announced that stem cells and their products would be categorised as drugs to try to control inappropriate use of stem cell therapy; though the regulations would not cover the use of stem cells in recognised, proven treatments for blood diseases. However, for other kinds of treatments, healthcare providers and researchers have to seek approval from scientific and ethics committees at institutional and national levels. Furthermore, the Thai Medical Council will soon issue regulations to cover use of stem cells by physicians. Patients must be clearly informed by the institution of the unproven nature of the treatment. Patients must be able to weight the potential risks and benefits of the treatment, without being persuaded by others or being persuaded through threats or force.

Todays and Future Uses of Stem Cells

Stem cell research has progressed at astounding rates and there are countless research studies publishing scientific journals each year. Adult or somatic stem cells are now being used to treat

many conditions such as heart diseases and leukaemia although researchers still have a long way to go before they completely control the regulation of stem cells. In the future stem cells may be able to generate new tissue and organs which could replace patients with destroyed tissue from injuries or diseases, they could even cure diseases for which there is currently no adequate therapy. Conditions that could see revolutionary advances from stem cell treatment and research would include Alzheimers, Parkinsons, diabetes, heart diseases, arthritis, cancer and many more. I believe that both embryotic and somatic stem cells should be used for research and treatment as I believe it can and will eventually save millions of people from many genetic and inherited diseases. I believe that the potential to save millions of lives outweigh the ethical issues.