why is this such a big interest?thanks
just want to know
2006-07-27 03:26:42 · 6 answers · asked by qwq 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
Stem cells are in everyone and continue to divind in each of every one of us. For example, when you cut your hair, how do you think it grows back. That's right, stem cells and other cells in your body that helps in regenerating certain organs or nervous tissue. Slowly, but surely. But if you were to cut your arm off, it wouldn't grow back, right. That is because the cells that differentiated when you were developing in the womb have stopped making your arm and they receive signals from your notochord to stop making it. Once it is grown, that is it. There is great talk about stem cells being a way to replace prosthetic limbs in exchange for real limbs grown from your own stem cells using your dna, but the reason they can not get it to work is because the signals being sent out for specializing cells to make limbs, organs, and etc. come from the notochord and as you know, you don't have one anymore...you have a spinal chord. So you see whey there is great interest in this. Also, what if the cells could regenerate a spinal chord injury and fix nervous tissue and reset nerve connections in the body...a parapalegic could walk again. Amazing stuff huh?
2006-07-27 03:35:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have seen an experiment where they cut out a bit of a rats spinal cord, making it paralyzed. After that they put some stem cells into the gap in the spinal cord and it grew back together. The rat could walk again after a few days.
They are also hoping to cure other diseases, where critical cells in the body has been destroyed. For instance they hope to be able to cure diabetes and Alzheimer's.
2006-07-27 11:02:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well Stem cell can be genetically engineered to become any organ of the body. The problem is the only time you can take some is when your a neonatal baby. Thats the VERY short version of the issue. It is very interesting stuff though read up on it.
2006-07-27 10:32:45 · answer #3 · answered by Draco 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stem cells will allow you to repair your own body tissues and organs, but GWB is a troll.
2006-07-27 10:30:42 · answer #4 · answered by Atomin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The precursor of almost every other cell
2006-07-27 10:36:36 · answer #5 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
only embryonic cells can be used as stem cells and it can be developed into any organ....
2006-07-27 10:49:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋