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| Embryonic stem cells in vitro |
Embryonic stem cells are the foundation stones of our
body
Up to the fourth day of its creation, the embryo is comprised of the
Tootothent Stem Cells. These stem cells
are the primal cells resulting from the first divisions after fertilization.
They can be differentiated into any body cells and create a complete different
living organism. Because of this ability of theirs, a lot of research has been done on these cells, in the
hope to find the cure for many diseases.
Unfortunately, there hasn’t been much success.
The embryo in
the fifth day of it's creation is comprised
of one hundred cells. Thirty of those are still stem cells, but they are a
different type. They are called Pluripotent stem cells and they will evolve into any body tissue and differentiate
into a wide number of different types of cells the body. Those
embryonic stem cells will decrease as the development of the embryo matures.
Stem cells can also be found in adults. They are
located in various tissues, such as the skin, the heart and the brain where
their role is to renew and regenerate
damaged tissues. Essentially, they are important for the development, healing
and replacement of damaged cells. Adult stem cells, however, differentiate in
cells of the tissues in which they are already located , but not in any type of
tissue, like the embryonic stem cells can. For example, stem cells which are
located in the brain, will regenerate brain cells, the ones that are located in
the liver, restore liver damage.
More differences between embryonic and adult stem
cells
Embryonic stem
cells :
- Can diferentiate into any other cell
- Create embryos (Tootothent Stem Cells)
- Might create tumours and unwanted immune response
- Researchers have been focusing on their therapeutic potential such as the treatment of diabetes and heart disease. This process has raised ethical issues
- Can differentiate into any other cell
- Migrate to the affected area and contribute to healing
- Are not rejected from the organism
- Replace ailing or dead cells in the damaged area
- Have already been used for creating organs to be transplanted
- They don't create tumors
