Stem cell
From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science
Essentially a stem cell is a cell or cells found within mammals that can give rise to different or specialized types of cells. Stem cells can be categorized as embryonic, adult and cord blood stem cells. [1]
Contents |
Differentiation Potential
There are three main types of stem cell differentiations which describe how certain cells at different stages of an organisms development effect its tissues, organs and nerves.
Totipotent
There is no limitation with totipotent cells which are taken from the inner mass which consists of cells that are truly part of the fetus. The totipotent cells or the inner mass of cells are within the covering of the blastocyst. These are cells produced during the first division of the fertilized egg and their primary function is to make and truly form the various segments or structures that constitute an organism.
Pluripotent
These types of cells are descendants of totipotent cells showing up further in the development of a fetus. They can differentiate into any of the cells derived from the three germ layers of ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. [2] Pluripotent cells however differ from totipotent cells in that they are not able to form a fully functioning fetus. The totipotent cells are and must be established first.
In 2007, two teams of scientists from Japan and the United States were independently altering a few genes within skin cells of humans in order to coax them into becoming pluripotent stem cells, ultimately enabling them to turn these into any of the 200 tissue types. [3] What are called induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells were exactly like embryonic stem cells in their physical appearance and behavior in the cell culture the Japanese scienists found and published in the journal Cell. Evolutionists for years have claimed that not only the U.S. President, but Christians, specifically creationists who opposed embryonic stem cell research on the grounds of ethics were anti-science. [4] In fact what this shows is the relevancy of those who ask prudent questions and doubt wreckless science by showing its very real detrimental effect on the potential for life.
Multipotent
Cells that can differentiate into any of the blood cell types or what are called Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). These can be broken down and seen to consist of viable stem cells with short regeneration capacities which are multipotent, oligopotent and unipotent progenitors. [5]
Embryonic Stem Cells
These type of stem cells are created at the union of the sperm to the egg at the earliest stages of embryonic development.
Ethics issues
Embryonic Stem Cell Research is usually considered as unethical by individuals who are pro-life and believe that life begins at conception, when the sperm unites with the egg. It is because destruction of embryo's must be carried out during the research process that opposition is still an issue to this type of stem cell research.
Adult Stem Cells
Cord Blood Stem Cells
References
- ↑ Stem cell by Wikipedia
- ↑ Stem cell by Answers.com
- ↑ Stem Cell Breakthrough by Creation-Evolution Headlines
- ↑ Beyond the embryo fight: A recent stem-cell breakthrough negates the need for research using human embryos by Richard Hayes for the LA Times, November 22, 2007
- ↑ Stem cell by Wikipedia
External Links
- The Adult Stem Cell Stem Cell Reports, by The National Institute of Health
- Adult Versus Embryonic Stem Cells: Treatments by the Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics
- Stem Cell Basics The National Institute of Health resource for stem cell research
- Embryonic Stem Cells Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
- The Case for Adult Stem Cell Research by Wolfgang Lillge, M.D.
- Will Adult Stem Cells Cure Sickle Cell Anemia? by Creation-Evolution Headlines
- Cell Cell Online
- Stem Cells: It’s a New Ball Game Creation-Evolution Headlines.01/10/2008.
 Browse |
