Question

Stem cell research has become cutting edge research for scientist and has shown promising results for curing disease. In this discussion explain why embryonic stem cells may have greater therapeutic potential than adult stem cells and why this form of research (stem cell) is so controversial.

THIS IS A BIOLOGY I NON SCIENCE MAJOR CLASS. TRY NOT TO BE TOO DETAILED. SIX TO EIGHT SENTENCES. THANKS!

Answer 1

(i) Embryonic Stem Cells (ESC) are derived from the inner cell mass of blastocyst and can give rise to any type of cells.
- Adult Stem Cells (ASC) are derived from adult tissue, and have the ability to regenerate into all the cell types of the organ from which they originate.
-Embryonic Stem Cells(ESC) are thought to have much greater developmental potential than Adult Stem Cells (ASC) because-

-ESC are pluripotent (give rise to cells of all tissues of the embryo) but ASC are merely multipotent(Only specific types).

(ii) STEM CELL CONTROVERSY:-Reasons behind stem cell controversy are -
- people disagree with using human embryonic cells for medical research, because extracting the stem means destroying the embryo.
- Different beliefs related to Constituents to start of human life.
- strong religious views of many people in starting of human life.
- many other ethical issues.