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Related Concept Videos

Embryonic Stem Cells00:57

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cells were first discovered in mice in 1981 by Martin Evans. In 1998, James Thomson identified a method to isolate embryonic stem cells from humans. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are obtained from 3-5 day old embryos that remain unused after an in vitro fertilization procedure.
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
Embryonic Stem Cells00:58

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.
Stem Cell Culture01:17

Stem Cell Culture

Stem cell research aims to find ways to use stem cells to regenerate and repair cellular damage. Over time, most adult cells undergo the wear and tear of aging and lose their ability to divide and repair themselves. Stem cells do not display a particular morphology or function. Adult stem cells, which exist as a small subset of cells in most tissues, keep dividing and can differentiate into a number of specialized cells generally formed by that tissue. These cells enable the body to renew and...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:06

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic cells are...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:13

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore called induced pluripotent stem...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:13

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore called induced pluripotent stem...

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Cortical Neurogenesis: Transitioning from Advances in the Laboratory to Cell-Based Therapies
12:38

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Published on: July 19, 2007

Stem cell research and economic promises.

Timothy Caulfield1

  • 1Faculty of Law, University of Alberta.

The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics : a Journal of the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics
|June 29, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Stem cell research funding is often justified by economic growth promises. This analysis questions if stem cell research can truly deliver on these economic expectations and its impact on scientists.

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Published on: November 27, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology and Regenerative Medicine
  • Science Policy and Economics

Background:

  • Stem cell research is frequently promoted as a driver of economic growth.
  • Policy documents, scientific literature, and media highlight potential commercial benefits.
  • This has generated significant public and governmental expectations regarding economic returns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the economic promises associated with stem cell research.
  • To explore the implications of an economic-focused ethos on the scientific community.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of policy arguments and scientific literature concerning economic benefits.
  • Examination of the influence of economic expectations on research practices and funding.

Main Results:

  • The economic benefits of stem cell research are often overstated, creating unrealistic expectations.
  • The emphasis on economic outcomes may negatively impact research direction and scientific freedom.

Conclusions:

  • The economic promise of stem cell research requires critical assessment.
  • The pressure for commercialization may have unintended consequences for scientific inquiry and researchers.