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Stem Cell Research: A Christian Perspective

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Stem Cells Research The body is composed of cells, which form the basic unit of life. Unique cells found in the body are the stem cells. These cells are biological cells that are not specialized for particular functioning in organisms. They can be distinguished since they have the ability to differentiate or divide into multiple body cells, and their ability to replicate self. They are unique in the way they can renew themselves by undergoing cell division when inactive for a long period. It is also possible to induce stem cells to organs or tissue cells under some conditions. When the cells divide, they replenish the cells in a living organism. They serve as an internal system that repairs and replaces the tissues that are worn out.1 Dividing cells may remain as stem cells or become specialized in their functions, for instance red blood cells, brain or muscle cells. The cells unique nature has scientists intrigued to do research with the focus of finding a way that these cells can be used to replace patients’ injured or diseased tissues. Advancement is made to all the three types of stem cells namely embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells in addition to induced pluripotent cells. Embryonic cells are the building blocks of an embryo that is developing, and can develop into almost all body cell types. Somatic cells are found in the body tissues. They renew and regenerate in healthy bodies. The third type which is induced pluripotent is genetically modified embryo cells from skin cells.2 Research on these cells are geared towards saving humanity; a noble course. In a recent article, “Destructive Embryonic Stem Cell Research”, Father Mark Hodges, the Antiochian Orthodox Christian argues that human lif… … middle of paper … …chers form part of the Christian community and they have an in-depth understanding of the Christian teachings, yet are making effort to prolong life. The view of stem cells as a way of keeping life is the drive. More laboratories should be implemented to provide a stage for more discoveries. It will only be a worthy course for the church to save lives of its members than to seek to stick by the moral teachings at the expense of lives. Stem cell research is needs to be supported. Works Cited Hodges, Father Mark. “Destructive Embryonic Stem Cell Research.”Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese. N.p., 2013. Web. 9, Apr. Stem Cell Basics: Introduction. In Stem Cell Information. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2002. Schowengerdt, Carl G. Morals, ethics and religions. Y-City Publishing, LLC. 2010.

Stem Cell Research : Stem Cells

Stem cells have several potential applications. Stem cells can be used to study development by helping us to understand how a complex organism develops from a fertilized egg. Some of the serious medical conditions such as cancer and birth defects which are lead by abnormal cell division and differentiation will have new therapy dealing with stem cell research. Stem cells have the ability to replace damaged cells and treat disease of extensive burns, leukemia (a cancer of blood forming tissues) and other blood disorders. Today, doctor use donated tissues and organs to replace damaged tissue, but the need for the tissues and organs far outweighs the available supply. With the stem cells, it can offer the enormous sources of replacement cells and tissues. Third, stem cells could be used to study disease. Today, scientists use stem cells to model disease processes in the laboratory to better understand what goes wrong in the disease genes. Finally, stem cells could provide a resource for testing new medical treatments. Lot of new medications could be tested on specialized cells from stem cell lines which can reduce the animal testing. For example, cancer cell lines are used to screen potential anti tumor drugs to see the effects on cells. Stem cells are mother cells that have potential to develop into a new different cell in the body. It can self-renew or multiply while developing into other types of cells, for example they can become cells of the blood, heart, bones, skin, muscles and brain. Stem cells were discovered in human cord blood in 1978, and in 1998, Thompson, from the University of Wisconsin, isolated cells from the inner cell mass of early embryos (early stage of an animal or person before it is born) and developed t… … middle of paper … …e cells from the synthetic retina had moved and integrated as it looked like normal mature rod cell after six weeks. Professor Ali says that it will take few years to implement this research within a human trial, but the team has already started working with human embryonic stem cells. I really wish this experiment works with human because blindness is the hardest thing to cure and it is really hard to find the eye donor. Doing this stem cell research, it reminded me of my grandmother when she had a stroke. She was really lucky because my grandfather found her very quickly, when she fainted from the stroke. The doctor said that she still has a chance of getting stroke again so she always has to be careful. If the stem cell research develops, my grandmother will be able to cure the stroke clearly and we won’t have to worry about her anymore going to hospital again.

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