What is stem cell research, and does anyone know of any credible websites explaining this topic?

I am writing a research paper for AP and I would greatly appreciate your knowledge regarding the scientific aspect of stem cell research with all religious issues put aside because a research paper is based on facts not opinions, don't get me wrong I am a Christian but I do strongly support this issue because it would be a huge medical accomplishment for todays society. Thank You.

What is stem cell research, and does anyone know of any credible websites explaining this topic?
lots of information here http://www.stemcellresearchfoundation.or...
Reply:Stem cell research is the research and the developement of our understanding of how stem cells can differentiate, and how we can use this ability to our benefit.





The http://stemcells.nih.gov is a reliable site [from the National Institues of Health], giving information of the pros and cons, ethical controversies, and such.





www.isscr.org is also a reliable site. In fact its the International Society for Stem Cell Research, and giving many details, especially on embryonic stem cell research.





I'll summarize a little on my own//





Stem cell research is the research of stem cells, a type of cells able to be extracted from an embryo [hence, embryonic stem cells], and parts of adult tissue [hence, adult stem cells].





Here are some interesting facts:





Pluri-potent = the ability of a stem cell to differentiate into all the 200 something cell types of the human body. [Though scientists have yet to discover how to control this, scientists believe that this potential will one day let ESC [embryonic stem cells] to be the key to medicine and the curing of diseases such as cancer.





Multi-potent = the ability of a stem cell to differentiate into cell types similiar to its original type. While pluri-potent cells are "not mature" and can grow into "mature cell types", these multi-potent adult stem cells are already "matured", and can only develope into cell types close to theirs.





Note that adult stem cells are already put into use, curing many people with diseases such as a few forms of cancer, Parkinson's disease, leukemia, sickle cell anemia, those suffering from cardiac problems, and such.





Though adult stem cells are very useful, according to [an article from] actionbioscience.org, adult stem cells are hard to obtain in large quantities, hard to obtain at all in case of inaccessible parts such as bone marrow, brain, and nerve cells. Harvested stem cells have been known to carry genetic mutations for diseases or become defective during experimentation.





According to [an article from] the Popular Issues Organization [i believe the site is popularissues.org], adult stem cells extracted from the bone marrow can also damage the donor.





Many other sites, however, claim that while the donor of embryonic stem cells die, the donor of adult stem cells do not.





There has been a lot of arguments debating the use of dead embryos or aborted embryos. Scientists have yet to discover whether embryonic stem cells from those embryos have genetic mutations or defects.





Scientists have also discovered that prolonged storage of embryonic stem cells causes tumors and genetic defects.





While both embryonic and adult stem cells can be raised in culture, and harvested, adult stem cells have a shorter life span. However, embryonic stem cells, because of the scientists inability to control these cells, develop tumors. Of mouse nerve stem cells, only a culture purity of 80% has been obtained.





The sites below are my sources, along with some other sites with information I'm too lazy to type out.





Ignore the sub-notes following each site. Those are supposed to 'briefly summarize' the site, but unfortunately I haven't got the nerve to label all. Some, as you may have found out, say "yum" or other irrelevant phrases.

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