What is stem cell research and cloning?
Stem cells are cells that can replicate and can turn into any of some variety of cells. Potentially, stem cells may be useful in replenishing missing or defective cell populations in an organism. Cloning (in this context) involves growing a new organism from a single cell of an old organism.
Can stem cell research lead to cloning?
The stem cells can be induced to differentiate into different types of cells as needed (heart, nerve, muscle, etc.). These cells are genetically identical to the patient’s own cells (that is, they are cloned). In the future, the cloned cells could be transplanted into the patient to replace damaged cells.
Is stem cell cloning ethical?
There are ethical objections to work with human embryonic stem cells, because it involves the destruction of embryos, which some people view as human life. Therapeutic cloning is also controversial because, critics say, it involves creation of life solely for research or treatment.
What is the difference between therapeutic cloning and stem cell research?
What’s the difference between cloning embryonic stem cells and cloning a new organism? Therapeutic cloning creates a line of embryonic stem cells genetically identical to an individual. Reproductive cloning creates a new organism genetically identical to an individual.
Can scientists clone organs?
Potentially, it might be possible to clone organs by using SCNT to clone embryos, extracting the stem cells, and stimulating the stem cells to differentiate into the desired organ, but this will require more research.
Can you clone bone marrow?
Bone marrow-derived MSCs can be cloned and expanded in vitro more than a million-fold and still retain the ability to differentiate into several mesenchymal lineages. Thus, MSCs possess great potential for clinical applications, especially in the utilization of their immunosuppressive properties.
Is stem cell research the same thing as cloning?
This form of cloning is unrelated to stem cell research. In most countries, it is illegal to attempt reproductive cloning in humans. Therapeutic cloning In therapeutic cloning, the blastocyst is not transferred to a womb. Instead, embryonic stem cells are isolated from the cloned blastocyst.
What does cloning have to do with stem cell research?
Therapeutic cloning is to produce human stem cells, tissues and organs, ie, the application of cloning technology which does not result in the production of genetically identical fetuses or babies. There have been two major scientific breakthroughs that have shaped the recent development of cloning technologies.
What is the difference between stem cell and cloning?
iPSC = induced pluripotent stem cell (s). Potentially, stem cells may be useful in replenishing missing or defective cell populations in an organism. Cloning (in this context) involves growing a new organism from a single cell of an old organism.
What religions are against stem cell research?
The different beliefs in the timing of when a developing embryo becomes a human likely accounts for different levels of acceptance for embryonic stem cell research, which is supported in the Jewish community, is accepted in many Muslim countries, yet is opposed by the Roman Catholic Church and some Protestant denominations.