Stem Cell Basics
The Power of Stem Cells
Stem Cells are unique and differ from all other cells in that they:
- Are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods of time
- Are unspecialized or mini-blank slates
- Can give rise to other specialized cell types
Stem cells are part of the repair system of the body and can be used as a part of regenerative therapies to treat diseases and syndromes such as paralysis, heart disease, Parkinson´s Disease, diabetes and more.
Source: National Institutes of Health; http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics2.asp
Stem Cell Sources
- Bone marrow
- Peripheral blood
- Human hair follicle
- Brain and spinal cord
- Adipose tissue (fat)
- Pulp of baby teeth
- Many other tissues: liver, pancreas, muscle, cornea, mammary and salivary glands, skin, tendon, synovial membrane, heart, cartilage, thymus, etc.
- Germline cells
- Umbilical cords and placentas harvested at birth
- Amniotic fluid
- Cadavers
- Adult cells re-programmed to become embryonic-like stem cells (iPS)
- Embryos and fetuses who died from natural causes such as miscarriages
- Human embryos, e.g. from In Vitro Fertilization clinics*
- Elected abortions*
*The only unethical sources because human life is destroyed in the process
Stem Cell Uses
Dr. Darwin Prockop, recognized as a world leader in production and characterization of adult stem cells, established the first laboratory, using NIH funding, for preparation and distribution of these cells worldwide (provided to over 250 research centers to date), acknowledged that “many people are now using stem cell to treat almost any disease you can name - arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, strokes, kidney diseases” and further indicated that he is not planning on pursuing research in areas of embryonic stem cell research because the technology is very complicated, difficult, and that there have been no reports of any patient trials using ESC. http://www.temple-telegram.com/story/2008/02/13/47081
Do Embryonic Stem Cells Hold Scientific Promise?
"Embryonic stem cells have not yet been used for even one therapy, while adult stem cells have already been successfully used in numerous patients…" Dr. Wolfgang Lillige, "The Case for Adult Stem Cell Research." 21st Century Science and Technology Magazine, Winter 2001-2002 .
"…to use embryonic stem cells for diseases in mature tissues, they must be turned into adult stem cells. Another reason that embryonic stem cells derived from embryos cannot be used directly is that they form tumors when transplanted into mature tissues." Dr. James Sherley, associate professor of biological engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "To Clone or Not to Clone." MercatorNet, December 2005
"The great promise of embryonic stem cells is often stated by scientists that either hold key patents or are strongly supported by biotech companies pursuing embryonic cells commercially. The potential of embryonic stem cells to possibly form every cell type in the body is amazing but is of little clinical relevance. As long as a stem/progenitor cell is capable of forming the cell types needed for a particular injury or disease, the capability to form every cell type is a moot point." Dr. Jean Peduzzi-Nelson, associate professor in the department of anatomy and cell biology at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, "Adult Stem Cells are Behind Much of Stem Cell Success So Far." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, September 2, 2006.
Professor Ian Wilmut, pioneer of the cloning technique, has decided not to pursue a license he was granted to clone human embryos because he is "anticipating that before too long we will be able to use the Yamanaka approach [of reprogramming adult stem cells to become embryonic stems] to achieve the same, without making human embryos. I have no doubt that in the long term, direct reprogramming will be more productive, though we can't be sure exactly when, next year or five years into the future." Telegraph.co.uk , November 16, 2007.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2007/11/16/scidolly116.xml&page=1Adult Stem Cells Currently Used for Medical Treatments
- Anemias
- Cancers (multiple types)
- Child Leukemias
- Cornea Regeneration
- Crohn´s Disease
- Diabetes, Type I
- Heart Disease, Acute & Chronic
- Krabbe Leukodystrophy
- Liver Cirrhosis
- Lupus
- Lymphomas
- Myelomas
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Paralysis
- Osteopetrosis
- Parkinson´s Disease
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Stroke
- Systemic Vasculitis
- …and more
One of the great advantages of using adult stem cells is that they can be donated and used by the same patient, thus eliminating risks of rejection.
One of thousands of successes
Gina Rugari was treated for fatal Krabbe Leukodystrophy at 3 weeks of age with umbilical cord stem cells. Her brother, Nick, died from Krabbe at 12 months, before treatment was available.
Gina at 6 months
Gina at 7 Years
For a complete list of cures that have already occurred in humans, please see: www.stemcellresearch.org