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Embryos, clones, and stem cells: a scientific primer
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA. Tweedell.1@ND.edu
Thescientificworldjournal
|September 7, 2004
Summary
This article explains clones, cloning, and stem cells, differentiating embryonic and adult stem cells and their applications in regenerative medicine. It reviews stem cell recovery, manipulation, and ethical considerations for human embryonic stem cell use.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology and Regenerative Medicine
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Fundamental processes of embryo development are reviewed.
- Stem cells function in early development and adult regeneration.
- Distinguishes between embryonic and adult stem cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a nonspecialist insight into clones, cloning, and stem cells.
- To describe stem cell origin, recovery, and manipulation.
- To review current and projected uses of stem cells for human diseases and repair.
Main Methods:
- Review of fundamental embryo development processes.
- Characterization of stem cell function in vivo and in vitro.
- Illustration of stem cell recovery and manipulation through current animal and human research.
Main Results:
- Stem cells are defined, characterized, and their functions elucidated.
- Complexity of stem cell recovery and differentiation into specific cells and tissues is highlighted.
- Current research on embryonic and adult stem cells in animals and humans is reviewed.
Conclusions:
- Stem cell manipulation employs events similar to embryo development.
- Expanding methodologies for human embryonic stem cell recovery are described.
- Ethical, legal, religious, and political viewpoints on human embryonic stem cell use are assessed.