STEM CELLS
Every cell in your body has a very specific job. Cells that make up your heart, for example, look and act completely different than the cell s that make up your skin, muscles, or brain. The goal of embryonic stem cell research is to understand how our very first cells decide what jobs to perform.
If we can determine how stem cells are triggered to perform certain tasks, stem cell research has the potential to treat hundreds (maybe even thousands) of common diseases. Currently, diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, autoimmune disease, burn victims, blood diseases, leukemia, and spinal injuries are considered targets for stem cell therapies.
Research, however, has been stalled due to financial restrictions. Federal funding is currently not provided to embryonic stem cell researchers because the research has involved the destruction of embryos. Only select states (Massachusetts included) and private institutions will provide funding.
After legislation passed to allow stem cell research in Massachusetts (2005), the state has become a leader in advancing our understanding of stem cells. Just last month, a Worcester-based team found a method to obtain embryonic stem cells without destroying the human embryoÑa discovery that should reduce ethical limitations and generate federal funding.
We are making great progress in this line of research. If this science interests you, links are provided to explore stem cells for yourself!
For up-to-date news on the latest in stem cell research, visit Nature.
To learn more about how stem cells work, visit:
| NIH Stem Cell Resource | Tell Me About Stem Cells |
For more on Stem Cell Research in Massachusetts, visit:
| Advanced Cell Technology, leader in stem cell developments. | Article: Human Embryotic Stem Cell Lines Generated without Embryo Destruction |
