Introduction
Stem cells are undefined cells with the potential to become any type of specialized cells. Stem cells can be derived from embryos, fetuses, and even adult cells. Stem cells can be used to replace tissue that is damaged, or even destroyed. If used to its full potential stem cells can help to fight the effects of aging. Stem cells draw in a mass of controversy and issues on many fronts both scientific, and moral. Stem cells could eliminate the problems thought to be unsolvable, and better the human life.By studying stem cells researchers and doctors may better understand how a large portion of diseases and conditions develop. Researchers hope they can train stem cells into becoming specific cells so that those specialized cells can be used to regenerate and repair diseased or damaged tissues in people.
Embryonic stem cells come from embryos that are four to five days old, they possess a high potential to regenerate damaged or destroyed tissue or organs. Adult stem cells are found in small numbers in most adult tissues, such as bone marrow. Adult stem cells are also found in children and in placentas and umbilical cords. Adult stem cells where at first thought to produce only like cells but recent studies have disproved this thought, and shown that adult stem cells can produce unrelated cells as well. However, Adult stem cells are not as versatile as embryonic stem cells and cannot produce all cell types. From this fact derives all the controversy concerning stem cells.
The controversy over stem cells is from the destruction of fertilized human eggs, which kills what could’ve developed a child. Currently, scientists and researchers are only using embryos that are unwanted and would already not be given an opportunity to develop into a human being. But, many consider even this process to be inhumane in that it kills a human life needlessly. On the other hand, the use of adult stem cells is less controversial, because it does not kill human or potential human life. The moral and ethical aspects of stem cell research are constantly being called into question, but there is no question as to scientific and medical