Medical Innovation – Stem Cells

Stem cells are a widely discussed concept, which is rapidly becoming reality. The idea that one cell can be ‘harvested’ into millions of new cells to aid medical procedures was first brought about in the 1800s when it was discovered that cells were the bases of all life, and they had the ability to replicate to multiply producing other cells.

Stem cells are biological cells which can divide and differentiate into different specialized cells. In 1978, stem cells were discovered in the spinal cord. The potential for stem cells is unthinkable. Since the discovery of the cells, innovation has taken charge allowing the development of the likes of growing new skin cells for burn victims. In October 2011, BBC news covered the procedure in which abnormal liver cells were treated using stem cells to create a whole new healthy liver.

(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15288736 )

In previous years Blockbuster films such as ‘The Island’ have portrayed stem cell innovation to its maximum depicting the creation of whole new humans, from single cells. Though this concept seems unrealistic and farfetched, in reality, through stem cell innovation this may in the future become a possibility.

However there are many ethical issues surrounding this concept, preventing fast progression in this area.

By coming up with or ‘innovating’ new ways to manipulate these types of cells, the likes of cancer, brain damage, spinal cord injury, heart damage, diabetes, infertility and many more could all be cured.

The UK Stem Cell Foundation are dedicated to all things stem cell. Their site has some very interesting facts about stem cells and the research and treatments that go with them.

( http://www.ukscf.org/research/benefitsandhopes.html )