Stem cells have been heralded as the gateway to 21st Century medicine.

We are told that one of the most exciting possibilities in human therapeutics is that stem cells – embryonic or adult – may compensate for cell loss in disease and bring functional recovery

What are stem cells?

Put simply, stem cells are the body’s master cells that can develop into other cells and tissues. They are immature cells that still have the potential to develop into many different kinds of cells, i.e. they are pluripotent.

What are stem cells?

Unlike specialised cells, they have the capacity to proliferate – keep on multiplying. This makes them ideal for replacing cells lost or damaged by disease.

It is understandable that research scientists, biotech companies and sick people are so passionate about having the freedom to develop them.

Source of stem cells

Stem cells can be derived from both embryonic and non embryonic (adult) sources.

Source of stem cells

Embryonic Stem Cells are currently obtained from surplus 5-7 day old embryos. It is argued that researchers could achieve their ends in this way without resorting to cloning techniques

Source of stem cells

However others believe that cloning by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) technology could produce embryonic cells that would eliminate rejection, since it would produce tissue perfectly matched to the patient.

Cloning technology

In somatic cell nuclear transplant the nucleus from a cell in the person’s body (somatic cell) is removed and inserted into a donated ovum from which the nucleus has been removed.

Cloning technology

The cell is stimulated with a short electrical pulse, and then develops into the blastocyst (early embryo) from which the stem cells can be removed.

Cloning technology

This process has been called therapeutic cloning though as yet these cells have never been used for therapy on human beings. They are identical with those of the donor of the somatic cell.

Cloning technology

If the embryo was allowed to develop and was implanted in a uterus it would be an exact genetic copy of the individual who donated the the cell. This would be reproductive cloning.

Cloning technology

Reproductive cloning

Dolly the sheep was produced in this way.

Non embryonic stem cells

Adult stem cells It was once though that adult stem cells were only capable of making cells for one particular tissue,

but it has been discovered recently that non embryonic sources for stem cells such as the tissue of adults or cord blood can also be pluripotent, i.e. have the capacity to differentiate into a variety of specialised cells.

Non embryonic stem cells

They are already being used therapeutically.

Non embryonic stem cells

They are already being used therapeutically.

Proponents say that stem cells will revolutionise

medicine.

Others say there are serious ethical concerns in the

technology used to create them.

Introducing...

The Cloning Wars

An NCF Hypothetical

The Cloning Wars

An NCF Hypothetical

Panel members played by:

Dr Sally Candlin Karys Fearon Diana Marshall Jane Cooper Wayne Marshall Rev. George Robinson