Question - As you sat in the library with your friend studying the various terms for your module quiz, you were surprised to read an article about thousands of people dying due to organ failure who could have actually survived with stem cell implantation. Fortunately, some scientists have succeeded in generating mini-livers, or liver buds, from stem cells that were taken from human skin. You also read about several controversies about the procedure.
Your curious nature leads you to research the subject further. You wonder what stem cells are, how they're being used to treat diseases and injuries that have no other treatment options, and why they are the subject of such controversy? You were very fascinated to learn that stem cells can be grown into specialized cells, such as blood cells, brain cells, heart muscle or bone cells which can then be used to treat diseases such as spinal cord injuries, type 1 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, as well as organ failures. These stem cells can be derived from an embryo that is three to five days old. It can also be taken from adult stem cells, such as bone marrow or fat.
Respond to the following prompts in your initial post:
1. What is your opinion about using an embryo for stem cell research?
2. What is your opinion about using an adult for stem cell research?
3. What other types of stem cells are available for use in stem cell research?