Stem cells have been considered as promising breakthrough as cancer treatments. Potential sources such as skin cells, bone marrow cells, etc., have been widely researched. It seems that there is addition to these sources as researchers from a biotechnology firm in Arizona discovered the endometrial regenerative cells.
Ethical issues have been raised regarding this new form of medical treatment.
Stem cells come from two main sources: embryos or adult tissues. Embryonic stem cells can give rise to virtually any cell type in the body, but they are controversial because conventional procedures for obtaining them involve the destruction of an embryo. Adult stem cells, such as those found in bone marrow, do not pose the same ethical concerns, but they have limited powers and collecting them can require invasive procedures.
While the new technique of reverting skin cells to an embryonic stem cell-like state promises to overcome the ethical dilemmas, this approach could come with safety concerns that make the cells too risky for use in humans. The technique for converting the skin cells involves using viruses to insert several genes, one of which is known to cause cancer.
Menstrual stem cells could turn out to be a happy medium between embryonic and adult stem cells, providing an ethically acceptable alternative that is readily accessible and appears to give rise to most of the major tissue types in the body.MSNBC
Advantages of the menstrual stem cells include its easy collection and vast availability, not causing any harm or pain to the donor and it can be collected for more than 35 years, from 12 years old to 47.
The researchers are currently conducting animal studies and an approval from the FDA for human studies is still needed to complete their investigation.
Tags: Health, Medicine, New Treatments, Research, Technology
Related Post
- Did You Know: The Seven Great Medical Myths
- How can you prevent acne? (Simple Tips)
- Wi-Fi networks, are they harmful to our health?
- Tips on Handling Childhood Immunization
- Did You Know: The Anti-Rape Condom
- Plastic Surgery: Is it immorality?
- The new ‘plastic’ blood
- How Yogurt is used in Acne Treatment
- New Symptoms for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer
- Don’t Go for SmartBro!
- Dengue Cases in the Philippines surged to 6.8% - DOH
- Free e-Books for your PDA or cellphone
- ADB: Clean water shortage by 2025
- Did You Know: Sitting up straight can strain your back
- Compassion
- Coffee: Benefits and Risks
- Getting ready for our Junior Clerkship
- Toxic iPhones
- Safety Tip: Switch off your iPod during thunderstorms
- Free Medical E-Books for Doctors and Medical Students on the Go
