Collecting Blood Stem Cells For Research
By www.menhealthonline.biz
Cord blood stem cells are human cells that have the potential to develop into many different types of cells in the body. The cells are in very early stages of development. Stem cells can turn into specialized cells such as liver cells, nerve cells, lung cells, etc. These cells can be taken from umbilical cord blood and grown outside the body in the laboratory. This allows scientists and researchers to study these cells isolated from other cells and in controlled conditions.
Previously, research was done primarily using embryonic stem cells because these were known to work well. Using newer and advanced research techniques scientists have found that collecting umbilical blood stem cells work just as well and in some cases even better. There is a huge supply of stem cells that can be tapped into because there are blood stem cells as a byproduct with every birth. Even more encouraging is that the cells are not taken from embryos, a previous concern and cause for continued debate.
Scientists are excited about the possibilities for curing and treating many various diseases in the future using blood stem cells. Already the results for recent research show encouraging results. Scientists have been able to grow a mini-liver in the lab using cord blood stem cells and are hopeful that in the future they may be able to develop an entire organ that would be available for transplant.
While much additional research is needed, the future of collecting blood stem cells
