How do fertilization clinics happen to have stem cells? Where do they come from? Are they donated by women? How are they used in in-vitro fertilization?
Aside from safety concerns for people who receive cell transplants, what reasons do people have against stem cell research?
2007-01-07 09:35:48 · 3 answers · asked by sparklycrayons 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Fertilization clinics have leftover embryos from the IVF preparation. A number of embryos are made, and only some are used unless the inital batch is rejected. These leftover embryos could then be allowed to grow to a certain size, at which point the stem cells are harvested. The stem cells themselves are not used in IVF. The embryos that they are derived from would have been if needed.
Most objection to embryonic stem cells is due to the destruction of the embryo when the stem cells are harvested. Some think it is akin to murder, an opinion which I do not share.
2007-01-07 09:51:54 · answer #1 · answered by John S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they 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.
2007-01-08 22:54:53 · answer #2 · answered by crashanator11 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stem cells are primal cells common to all multi-cellular organisms that retain the ability to renew themselves through cell division and can differentiate into a wide range of specialised cell types. Research in the human stem cell field grew out of findings by Canadian scientists Ernest A. McCulloch and James E. Till in the 1960s.[1][2]
The two broad categories of mammalian stem cells exist: embryonic stem cells, derived from blastocysts, and adult stem cells, which are found in adult tissues. In a developing embryo, stem cells are able to differentiate into all of the specialised embryonic tissues. In adult organisms, stem cells and progenitor cells act as a repair system for the body, replenishing specialised cells
2007-01-07 17:43:39 · answer #3 · answered by yoyoyoyoyoy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋