Stem Cells

Stem Cells Stem cells are cells are undifferentiated cells which can become any specialized type of cell, such as brain, skin, or muscle cell. They can be found in bone marrow, adipose tissue in lipid cells, and in the blood. Because of their adaptability, they can be used to help cure many diseases. There are only a few treatments to this day which have been completed often but there are many trials currently going on which look to improve and expand the uses The most common use for stem cells in medicine is blood stem cell transplantation to treat blood (i.e sickle cell anemia) and immune system diseases. This is usually done after treatments for specific cancers, such as certain leukemias or lymphomas, have been initiated and/or completed. Stem cells are killed during the chemotherapy treatments and more are put in to the body to replace those which were destroyed. It is given like a blood transfusion, through the vein. The stem cell donor is either yourself, someone such as a twin, or a matched donor whether related or not to you. Stem cells have also been used to help patients with severe burns on large areas of the body. But this treatment is very difficult to carry out and is therefore saved for those with serious life threatening burns. Also, the new skin does not have hair follicles or sweat glands but research has lead to improvements. It also takes time for the cells to grow and this can put the patient at risk of dehydration and infection. Arthritis and other bone and joint pain can be treated by stem cells. The cells are drawn from fatty tissue from the patient and then put in where it is needed. There are many, many more possible uses for stem cells that have not yet been proven to be one hundred percent safe and effective. Scientists are working on growing human organs and body parts using stem cells. If this because successful, it will open up many possibilities. There will no longer be a need for organ donors. If a patient has chronic heart sickness, healthy heart tissue can be grown and transplanted. Also, if a patient has cancer, the organ can easily be replaced instead of trying to kill all the cancerous cells. It may also be possible for stem cells to cure type 1 diabetes. The cells which produce insulin are destroyed by the immune system but new studies show that it might be possible to create new insulin producing cells by specializing stem cells. Doctors and researchers are also looking into trying to use stem cells as a cure for Parkinson’s disease. The stem cells will become cells which can produce dopamine, as those with Parkinson’s do not have enough which can lead to things such as tremors, balance problems, and a lack of facial expressions.

Stem cells have a very high potential in the field of medicine and we have made great strides in achieving cures for many diseases but many of the treatments including these cells are not verified yet as being safe, but with more research and testing, I think we will find good results.