Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Research Proposal

Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine - Research Proposal Example ell research, this paper proposes a framework for the formulation of guidelines towards the payment for the donation of eggs for embryonic stem cell production and research. Stem cells are naà ¯ve cells that have the capability of differentiating or developing into other types of cells in the body. Currently, many types of stem cells have been identified: embryonic, adult and induced pluripotent stem cells. Adult stem cells come from adult tissues like adipose, bone marrow, retina, muscle, heart; their main purpose is to repair and replace worn out tissues in which they were found. These cells are called multipotent because they can only differentiate into limited tissue types. Some adult stem cells can be induced to produce all types of tissues; these are called the induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS). Although the potential of these cells is quite high, studies are still underway to understand how they can be utilized fully (Webb). The most studied and with the most potential are the highly controversial embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells have two extraordinary properties that make them very medically useful. First, they are "pluripotent," with the capacity to become any type of the 200 specialized cells in the body; a heart-muscle cell that pumps blood, a cell in the retina of that sees light, an acid-producing cell in the stomach, or a brain cell that stores memories. Second, embryonic stem cells can keep dividing and making unlimited copies of themselves; an important property, since huge numbers of new cells may be needed to replace cells lost to disease. Embryonic stem cells, because of their ability to regenerate different tissue types, are thought by most scientists and researchers to hold potential cures for Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cancer, spinal cord injuries, Alzheimers disease, heart disease, hundreds of rare immune system and genetic disorders, and many more. Over 100 million people suffer from diseases that