Stem Cell Research
By: Christopher Bailey

What Are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are cells taken from a host and put into a solution so that they may grow and divide. The resulting cells can be used for research purposes or for regeneration of tissues and even organs in people that require it.

EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

• Cells that have been derived from embryos
• Are fertilized using in-vitro fertilization
• Placed in a medium and subcultured when growth begins to slow
• This process produces a non-specialized group of cells

PROS OF EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

• Can create adult stem cells for other uses
• Can lead to break throughs in curing degenerative diseases
• Can allow for organ transplant
• Can help with curing diseases that haven't occurred yet

CONS OF EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

• It disassembles a human embryo
• It cost a lot of money and is very inefficient
• Is ending a life before it can begin
• Is dangerous because mouse embryos are used to make a stable base for growth, creating a risk of virus

ADULT STEM CELLS

• These are embryonic stem cells that have been allowed to clump together and specialize into a specific type(s) of tissue.

PROS OF ADULT STEM CELLS

• Can cure a number of brain and non-brain related degenerative diseases. Ex. Alzheimers
• Can reduce the risk of having a bad transplant
• This can give in sites to mysteries about the human body

CONS OF ADULT STEM CELLS

• Can be failed if the patient rejects the transplant and could cause an even worse injury than there already is
• Cells used are most likely abortion based
• It is unreliable and the risk is greater than that of the reward

CITATIONS

• What are adult stem cells? [Stem Cell Information]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/pages/basics4.aspx
• Embryonic Stem Cell Research Pros and Cons List. (2015, February 15). Retrieved October 2, 2015, from http://occupytheory.org/embryonic-stem-cell-research-pros-and-cons-list/
• Photos by Haiku Deck

CITATIONS (CONT)

• Stem Cell Research - Pros and Cons. (n.d.). Retrieved October 2, 2015, from https://explorable.com/stem-cell-pros-and-cons