Understanding Embryonic Stem Cells

Douglas A. Melton, Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and professor of molecular and cellular biology at Harvard University, speaks on the controversial topic of embryonic stem cells, or ES cells. ES cells are cells that can be isolated from early embryos, before they differentiate into specific types of cells. Because stem cells have the potential to generate fresh, healthy cells of nearly any type, there is interest in exploring their use to treat and cure various diseases. The societal controversy regarding human ES cells relates primarily to their derivation from very early embryos. In addition, certain stem cell lines are developed using a cloning technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer, which can generate cells that are an exact genetic match to a patient.

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Education

[Mattco92]

some people don't understand that stem cell research is the perfect way to advance into the future. we could make life longer. make new life. the possibilities are endless. we have to do this

[ParamorexFan636]

Correction, it hasn't cured an ILLNESS as of yet. It HAS helped people, for examlpe, to walk again. Admittedly, it hasn't cured cancer or anything like that, but that's the point of RESEARCH. It has potential, so why not work with it?

[LifeLightStation]

Questions for you: How does the stem cells "decide"? From what basis?

And how does the cell "know" what timing to divide and even more so when does it know to stop and move to next stage?

And another question, where is the information about say f.ex the pigmentation of both the father and mother stored?

thanks a lot,

michael

[Hayacafrita]

@Mattco92 Other than making life longer I think that the best of it is really improving life today. For instance tissue engeneering wouldn't be possible without stem cell research.

[Hayacafrita]

Dr. Chec's tie...