Umbilical stem cell vs fetal stem cell research?

Question

I don't have a citation for this, but I have heard that some scientists believe that umbilical stem cells can be used for the same research methods as fetal stem cells.

Is that possible, to substitute umbilical stem cells instead of fetal stem cells? And if so, why isn't the scientific community pushing for using umbilical stem cells instead?

Could this replace fetal stem cells as a less controversial method of research?

Answer 1

Ok, first, "fetal" stem cells are actually embryonic stem cells taken during or before the eight cell stage of the embryo. They are not taken from a fully formed little baby. Umbilical cord cells are being used and the president voted to fund that research. The problem is that the umbilical cells can't be used in as many ways as the embryonic cells. Embryonic cells are totipotent, meaning they can differentiate into ANY cell type. Cord cells are, for the most part, pluripotent, meaning they can only differentiate into some types of cells.

Answer 2

it is my understanding that they can use the cord stem cells the same as they can the fetal stem cells.but the are always changing things my youngest son was dx with a brain stem tumor when he was 3 years old and I study some on this very thing at that time they could use ether the cord or the fetal cells but where his tumor was it was not a possibility to have any of those study procedures
in the reading that I had done trying to find a treatment for my son the only difference I could find in what they were doing with the fetal cells that was easier to do than with the cord cells was cloning the cells

Answer 3

Justin B answered seven years ago that "fetal" cells are actually embryonic stem cells taken during or before the eight cell stage of the embryo. They are not taken from a fully formed little baby". THIS IS WRONG INFORMATION.
Embryonic stem cells are derived from the early stages of the development of a zygote (sperm and egg together) called the inner cell mass of the blastocyst and are the ones being studied in Universities around the world since they are totipotent and have great potential for healing. However, a baby is called an embryo until two months after conception and therefor the term embryonic stem cells can mean stem cells taken from an aborted fetus that is younger then 2 months as well as the stem cells obtained from in vitro fertilization and other test tube experiments. Fetal stem cells are stem cells isolated from the organs of a fetus (that is a baby that is older than two months from conception). The use of either fetal or embryonic stem cells is considered illegal in most countries around the world since there is a potential for tumors to form especially from the test tube derived variety. The aborted tissue embryonic stem cells are illegal due to their source.
In my 14 years of stem cell practice (over 5000 cases) I have consulted with many patients that had the aborted embryonic stem cells and in general have seen that umbilical cord stem cells (and bone marrow and fat in younger folks) work as well as these abortion derived stem cells with less side effects i.e. graft vs host reactions that occur with the cells from aborted fetuses. The number of stem cells and the type of stem cells and the preparation of the cells is more important than if they are from an aborted embryo or fetus or umbilical cord blood or cord wall or placenta or amniotic membranes. Also the route of administration and the amount of growth factors that are present in the person receiving the cells is of great importance. For example, the healthy child with cerebral palsy who is able to walk usually has spectacular results with a simple bone marrow transplant but if they are over the age of 70 the results are not nearly as good because there are so few growth factors present in the old person as compared to the youngster. Much of this is covered in my book "Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Theapy" and on my website www.stemcellmd.org.
David Steenblock, BS,MS,DO, Mission Viejo, CA

Answer 4

I'm thinking umbilical stem cells are getting a "bad rap" from the fetal cell hysteria.

I know that my auntie, who is VERY against stem cell research in all it's forms, thinks that umbilical cord cells are a "cover" for the fetal cells and should not be used either.

I think it's variations on this thinking that keeps umbilical cells from being explored more.

That, and umbilical cells are not as plentiful, and not as "good" as the fetal cells.

Answer 5

The scientific community is looking at every possible option, including using conversion techniques on other cells. At this time, the cord cells have flexibility for the infant involved, but are much less flexible than fetal cells which set the standard for variability.

Answer 6

Hello Searcher.

the problem is where life begins. Justin has given you an excellent answer, scientifically---allow me to weigh in on the moral side.

People who have fertility treatments often leave leftover eggs which are destroyed. allowing these eggs to be fertilized and to develop into 8 cells gives a viable cell line, though 100 cells or so makes it much easier to handle.

the question is how many cells does one have before one goes from being cells to being a being? Your answer reflects your personal beliefs and values. some will say one. But then, is it ethical to just waste, destroy those surplus eggs when their limited development could save lives, cure the sick, maybe even help paralytics to walk?

Answer 7

It would seem logical that it should be pushed on the basis that they could try this.

However, if there is any risks to the baby, then I would not say it should be allowed. Even if it upsets the baby.
I think that they siad that thier may be risks from doing this.

However, stem cells are not the only thing in feutes and embryo's, I think that they are in other places; and work must be done to ensure that this is utilised.