HEALTH DATA COLLECTION

Stem cell research is one of the most promising areas of medical development. Scientists have discovered all sorts of uses for stem cells in order to heal, and in some cases, prevent, many illnesses. Stem cell research is also a very controversial issue, for many different reasons. It’s important that we each understand what stem cell research seeks to accomplish and the issues that surround it.

The basics are pretty simple. Stem cells are cells whose specific use in the body has not yet been determined. Every type of cell we have was once a stem cell. Therefore, a stem cell has the possibility to be whatever we need it to be in terms of using it in medicine. This is why their use is so promising.

By using stem cells, we can replenish cells in the body that are no longer doing their job, whether it’s because they’ve become sick or even if they’ve just become old. They are the basic building blocks of tissue, and so can be used to replace damaged cells. The two goals surrounding stem cell research are:

1. to be able to use stem cells to directly replace damaged cells in order to heal the body
2. to learn how to coax stem cells already in the body into to work hard enough to produce new tissue.

The controversy in stem cell research comes from the use of embryonic stem cells. These are cells taken from human embryos. There are ethical concerns here because these are living cells whose original intention was to create human life. Embryonic stem cells are isolated from human embryos that are just a few days old.

Here are several websites that will provide further information about stem cell research, how it can be used and the ethical issues associated with it.

Learn Genetics – this site from the University of Utah offers a great primer on stem cells. They do a thorough job of explaining what stem cells are, the goals of stem cell research and where science stands with using stem cells today and in the future. There’s also a good section on creating stem cells. The information on this site is very easy to understand. In fact, this would be a great site to use with your kids when they learn about stem cells in school.

Stem Cell Information – This site is run by the National Institute for Health, and offers basic information about stem cells, the US government’s policy on stem cell research and gives some very good information about embryonic stem cell research, which is the type of research that has generated so much controversy.

The Promise of Stem Cells – This site is run by UCLA’s Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research. The site not only gives an overview of stem cells, but gives some very good information about the possible future of stem cell research. This site is also a very good one to check regularly if you’re interested in keeping up with breaking news in the world of stem cell research.

There’s no doubt that stem cells are the future of medicine, and there is much promise in their use. That’s why it’s so important that we all understand the possibilities and the issues surrounding this valuable research.

Phyllis Zerkle is a freelance blogger and covers topics such as how to become a certified nurse assistant online, how to progress in a medical career, and more.

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