Stem Cells and the Human Condition
The graphic above is a summary of the medical areas that scientists believe stem cells will one day be able to treat or cure. The top, or the extraction of the stem cells, will lead to the manipulation of those stem cells to differentiate into the specific types of cells needed. After differentiation, these cells are hoped to be able cure the wide range of diseases and injuries that are illustrates at the bottom of the graphic.
A brief overview of some of the issues that scientists still need sort through can be found by clicking here and looking over this PowerPoint on stem cells. The PowerPoint discusses how scientists still have many challenges to face before the full benefits of stem cells can be realized.
Most medical research is done with the purpose of improving the human condition. I feel that stem cell technology is no exception. Once scientists can discover how to manipulate the differentiation of stem cells in the lab, there are several treatments that will hopefully be effective in the medical field.
The figure below explains how scientists think that stem cells will solve the rejection risks of current organ transplant methods.
If the stem cells come from the patient, then the resulting organs or tissues will be of the same blood and tissue type as the recipient. This eliminates the rejections risks of current procedures and also eliminates the use of expensive anti-rejection medication.
This website was created by a student for a Monmouth College course