Is stem-cell research the same thing as cloning?
2006-10-25 15:10:41 · 6 answers · asked by clancy1421 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Yes and no. Stem cells can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.
Cloning (as is used hysterically, a la Dolly the sheep) is generating identical copies of a molecule, cell, or organism.
When it is used to refer to cells grown in a tissue culture dish, a clone is a line of cells that is genetically identical to the originating cell. This cloned line is produced by cell division (mitosis) of the originating cell.
2006-10-25 15:18:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stem cell research is basically cloning certain cells in a particular part of the body to produce that product however I believe it is much more complex to completely clone an animal/human.
2006-10-25 15:19:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stem cell research breaks into 2 catogories - adult stem cells, and fetal stem cells.
In order to get enough stem cells to do treatments, one has to either harvest them, or grow new ones.
The technology to replicate those stem cells, and to use them in treatment, certainly runs into the research for cloning.
Worse yet, the proposition on the ballot in Missouri does in fact guarantee the ability to do the cloning research, which is where you're hearing the two mentioned at the same time.
2006-10-25 15:21:45 · answer #3 · answered by geek49203 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no its not the same as cloning a stem cell is a cell in fetuses or cord blood(umbilical cord) witch can be made into any part of the body. the issue is that if they cant use aborted fetuses they will have to use egg farms and invetro fertilization to make stem cells and people think this is also cloning.consider this would this be a risk worth taking if it cured cancer or paralysis there are a plethora of things it could cure.
2006-10-25 15:34:29 · answer #4 · answered by vercin 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe stem cell research is when brain stem cells of aborted or micarried fetus is used for research, cloning is when DNA is used to duplicate another person or animal.
2006-10-25 15:19:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not. Stem cell research is researching the cells that effect nearly all tissues in the body. It is hoped that research with Stem Cells will lead to cures for paralysis, diabetes, parkinson, alzheimer and a host of other dreadded diseases.
2006-10-25 15:19:20 · answer #6 · answered by rcb26 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋