Stem Cells 1

e3 Civic High School

Stem Cells

Mr. Rogitz

By
Sheila Licona,

San Diego, California

February 2017
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Stem cells have the potential to develop into multiple types of cells. They can become

into the cells of our blood, heart, bones, skin, muscles and etcetera. Stem cells can help treat

diseases. Stem cells can divide under special conditions depending on the organ like the heart but

in other organs such as the bone marrow, stem cells regularly divide to repair and replace

damaged tissues. The two main stem cells are the embryonic and adult stem cell. The adult cell

are undifferentiated cells, a cell that hasnt developed into a specialized cell, they repair any

damage tissue also even though theyre called Adult Cells theyre also found in children. They

are can be inactive for long periods until they are activated by repairing a tissue or fighting back

a disease. These Adult cells are also called somatic stem cells. Embryonic cells are acquired

from an embryo. After the embryonic cells are taken from the embryo most of them are then

fertilized in vitro in a clinic, then donated for research. Embryonic cells are more interesting

because scientists will research in vitro fertilization, its more interesting how they unite a egg

and the sperm together outside of the female body. They try and divide cells by a method called

cell culture. If the experiment is successful then theyll divide into more then theyll freeze the

cells and be shipped somewhere else where they can experiment deeper.

Stem cell controversy is about that some people disagreed with stem cell research

because for moral reasons some people believed it was destroying a human embryo and not

giving it life. This debate is similar to abortion because people debate about when does life start,

people argue scientifically and morally. Some believe it starts when the egg is fertilized while

others believe life starts after the development of the organs. I believe that life actually starts

when it has developed organs. I dont really think a bunch of cells is considered a human yet.

The human embryo's are murdered for science, people should think of it one person is killed
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for many others. Theyre experimenting on the embryos to try and find treatments for different

diseases. However, chimeras are another thing. I think its fine, scientists job is to be

discovering and questioning everything to the benefit of humans. Theres a line with chimeras

because the definition itself sound disturbing. As long as there isnt an actual human and animal

thing then the experiment is being fair. A stem cell research that caught my eye is the treatment

for cancer that involves stem cells. Many people have lost a relative or know someone who has

lost someone from cancer. Stem cells transplants wont cure cancer but theyll help recover the

ability to make more stem cells after a treatment. The transplant are often used on people who

have leukemia and lymphoma too. Stem cells have multiple ways that it can help save a person

or just simply make their last chapter a little better than it being a painful process. I will stand by

science in this one, it can help a lot of people when we go deeper and discover more that will

benefit us. There will always be conflicts along the way but we have to think of the possible

outcome and overcome it. Even if its slightly percent we still have to take it.
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Stem Cell Basic I. (n.d.). Retrieved February 13, 2017, from

https://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/1.htm

Stem Cell Basic II. (n.d.). Retrieved February 13, 2017, from
https://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/3.htm

Stem Cell Basic III. (n.d.). Retrieved February 13, 2017, from
https://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/3.htm

Stem Cell Basic IV. (n.d.). Retrieved February 13, 2017, from
https://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/4.htm

Mandal, A. (2013, December 23). What are Stem Cells? Retrieved February 13, 2017, from
http://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-are-Stem-Cells.aspx

P. C. (2013). What are Stem Cells? Retrieved February 13, 2017, from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/stem_cell