About Stem Cells
What are stem cells?
Stem cells are the building blocks of our bodies. They have the unique ability to turn into other types of specialized cells that make up our tissues, bones and organs. Basically, there are two types of stem cells: adult stem cells; and early, or embryonic, stem cells. Back »
Where do stem cells come from?
Stem cells are the building blocks of our bodies. They have the unique ability to turn into and regenerate the specialized cells that make up our tissues, bones and organs. There are two primary types of stem cells available to doctors and researchers -- adult and embryonic, neither of which involves abortion. Both types are handled in labs and are never implanted in a womb.
Adult stem cells are found in body tissues, including in the bodies of adults and in discarded umbilical cord blood. Scientists have been conducting research with adult stem cells for more than 50 years and have developed a number of medical therapies that use adult stem cells, such as bone marrow transplants to treat leukemia.
Embryonic stem cells were first isolated in humans about 10 years ago. The vast majority of these cells come from leftover embryos at fertility clinics that otherwise would be discarded and destroyed. Couples that have successfully conceived donate the embryos to medical researchers. They, like us, think it’s unfortunate to throw away stem cells that might help people suffering from Alzheimer’s, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and other afflictions.
Embryonic stem cells also can be produced through a process called Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT), which uses a patient’s own cells and an unfertilized human egg. SCNT has the added advantage of producing stem cells that will automatically match the patient’s genetic makeup and avoid the problem of immune system rejection.
Adult and embryonic stem cells are the two most common types; however, doctors and researchers are also working on a new type of cell, the induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell. This kind of cell, which also comes from an individual patient’s body, also would match that person’s genetic makeup. Researchers hope to use what they learn through continued SCNT research to develop iPS cells that are identical to embryonic stem cells.
Currently, iPS cells are produced by inserting copies of three-four genes known to be important in embryonic stem cells into specialized cells using viruses. Various groups have used slightly different combinations of genes. It is not completely understood how each of these genes functions to reprogram the cells and ongoing research is addressing this question.
Another technique, known as cell reprogramming, was announced in 2007. This process involves “reprogramming” a cell with a specialized function (for example, a skin cell) to an unspecialized state similar to that of an embryonic stem cell, thus giving it the ability to form any cell type of the body. This technique also builds on knowledge of SCNT.
The Missouri Stem Cell Amendment, approved by voters in November 2006, ensures that Missouri patients will have access to treatments and cures that come from these or any other type of federally approved stem cells. Back »
What are the differences between adult and embryonic stem cells?
Adult stem cells are partially specialized cells that can turn into a limited number of body cells and tissues. For example, blood-forming adult stem cells in bone marrow can turn into some types of blood-related cells. Scientists have been conducting research with adult stem cells for more than 50 years and have developed a number of medical therapies that use adult stem cells, such as bone marrow transplants to treat leukemia. Embryonic stem cell research is a new frontier. Human embryonic stem cells were first isolated in 1998 and SCNT was first performed with human cells in 2001.
Unlike adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells are "pluripotent," meaning that they are totally unspecialized cells that have the potential to turn into and regenerate any type of cell or tissue in the human body. Thus, the overwhelming majority of medical experts, medical organizations, disease foundations and patient groups agree that embryonic stem cells could provide cures for many diseases and injuries that have not been cured and probably cannot be cured with adult stem cells. Back »
What diseases and injuries could benefit from embryonic stem cell research?
Embryonic stem cells could provide cures for many currently incurable or common diseases and injuries, including diabetes, Parkinson's, MS, cancer, heart disease, ALS, sickle cell disease, spinal cord injury and dozens of other debilitating medical conditions.
In fact, it is estimated that more than 70 different diseases and injuries could benefit from embryonic stem cell research. For more information on diseases and injuries that could benefit from embryonic stem cell research, please see the "Diseases and Injuries" section of our website. Back »
How could embryonic stem cells provide cures for diseases and injuries?
Most diseases and injuries involve defective or damaged cells and tissue. Embryonic stem cells could be transplanted into a patient's body to generate the type of cells and tissues needed to cure the patient's disease or injury. For example, juvenile diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas. Embryonic stem cells could solve this problem by providing a way to generate healthy new islet cells.
Many neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's and ALS, are caused by the loss or destruction of nerve cells. Embryonic stem cells could be used to generate new nerve cells that could cure such diseases and could someday be used to repair spinal cord injuries, allowing people who are paralyzed by accidents to walk again.
Embryonic stem cell research also provides medical researchers with new ways to study how human cells develop and how diseases progress at the cellular level. In addition, embryonic stem cell research provides a new way to test the safety and effectiveness of drugs or other treatments that may cure or slow the progress of the disease before those treatments are tested in human clinical trials. Back »
What are some recent breakthroughs in embryonic stem cell research?
Doctors, researchers and scientists are working every day on treatments and cures for heart disease, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and many other afflictions. Below are several recent advances in embryonic stem cell research announced at institutions across the United States.
- Special nerve cells created from embryonic stem cells could help heal spinal cord injuries, say researchers at the University of Colorado Denver and the University of Rochester in New York. The special cells, called astrocytes, regenerated nerve fibers in the injured spinal cords of mice, helping them move again. The team is working on human forms of the cell for human clinical trials someday (University of Colorado Denver and University of Rochester, Sept. 19, 2008).
- Embryonic stem cells can regenerate heart tissue in mice to treat a congenital defect called dilated cardiomyopathy, according to a study at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. The discovery suggests that heart tissue could be repaired in people who suffer heart attacks or heart failure because of a genetic heart condition. Scientists at Mayo Clinic transplanted 200,000 embryonic stem cells into the heart walls of mice with congenital heart defects. One month later, stem cells had grafted into the heart, deterioration had stopped and heart performance had improved, ultimately saving the animals’ lives (Mayo Clinic, Sept. 11, 2008).
- Biologists at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute report they have directly reprogrammed common cells in the pancreases of living mice into special cells capable of producing insulin and fighting diabetes. The discovery, which was made possible by prior advances from embryonic stem cell research, also could lead to therapies and cures for heart disease and other afflictions in people (Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Aug. 27, 2008).
- Human embryonic stem cells are used to create red blood cells, a component of blood that helps distributes oxygen throughout the body. The research, conducted by researchers from Massachusetts-based Advanced Cell Technologies, the University of Illinois-Chicago and Minnesota-based Mayo Clinic, could potentially create an endless blood supply and negate the need for blood donations (Advanced Cell Technology, Aug. 19, 2008).
- Using mouse embryonic stem cells, researchers at the National Cancer Institute develop a method to evaluate which changes in a particular gene known to increase susceptibility to breast cancer might lead to cancer. The discovery could better inform people predisposed to developing cancer, as well as carriers of other disease-related genes (National Cancer Institute, July 6, 2008).
- Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis move closer to a new generation of heart disease treatments that use human stem cells. They report that a gene they’ve been researching in mice starts the development of the cardiovascular system by locking mouse embryonic stem cells into becoming heart parts and getting them moving to the area where the heart forms. The next step is studying whether the gene can help fix damaged hearts in mice (Washington University in St. Louis, July 2, 2008).
- A new technique is discovered for turning embryonic stem cells into insulin-producing pancreatic tissue, which could lead to new treatments for diabetes. Scientists at the The University of Manchester and the University of Sheffield in England genetically manipulated the stem cells to produce an important protein that helps increase specific types of desired cells pancreatic cells, in the case of diabetes (The University of Manchester, April 3, 2008).
- A Stanford University study shows that neural cells created from embryonic stem cells helped repair the brains of rats damaged by stroke. The rats, which each lost partial use of a forelimb, showed improvement after they were injected with the early-stage neural cells. The cells traveled to the damaged brain section and incorporated into the surrounding tissue, working to repair damage caused by the stroke (Stanford University, Feb. 20, 2008).
- Researchers at Novocell, a San Diego-based biotechnology company, announce that for the first time embryonic stem cells can be turned into pancreatic cells capable of producing insulin in mice. The discovery someday could help people who have Type 1 diabetes and require regular insulin treatment. The research builds on discoveries Novocell scientists announced in 2005 and 2006 (Novocell, Feb. 20, 2008).
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Who supports embryonic stem cell research?
Because of its potential to save lives and reduce human suffering, embryonic stem cell research is strongly supported by the overwhelming majority of medical researchers, including:
- More than 60 Nobel Prize winning scientists;
- Many major medical organizations, such as the American Medical Association, National Medical Association, American Association for Cancer Research and American Association of Neurological Surgeons;
- Dozens of disease foundations and patient groups, such as the American Diabetes Association, Christopher Reeve Foundation, Hereditary Disease Foundation, Jack Orchard ALS Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, Lance Armstrong Foundation, National Council on Spinal Cord Injury, National Parkinson Foundation, National Prostate Cancer Coalition and Parkinson’s Action Network; and
- Leading patient advocates, such as Michael J. Fox and Nancy Reagan. Back »
Do supporters of embryonic stem cell research also support adult stem cell research?
Yes, of course. Each type of stem cell has its own special characteristics and potential to provide therapies and cures for different diseases and injuries. That’s why the overwhelming majority of medical experts, medical organizations and patient advocacy groups, including the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, agree that both adult stem cell research and embryonic stem cell should be pursued in the effort to find lifesaving cures.
As stated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH): "Given the enormous promise of stem cells therapies for so many devastating diseases, NIH believes that it is important to simultaneously pursue all lines of research and search for the very best sources of these cells." Back »
What are some examples of research indicating the potential benefits of embryonic stem cell treatments?
Most diseases and injuries involve defective or damaged cells and tissues. Recent laboratory and animal research indicates that embryonic stem cells, or more specialized cells made from embryonic stem cells, could be transplanted into a patient’s body, where they could regenerate or repair a patient’s damaged cells or tissues.
For example:
- In recent experiments conducted at Washington University in St. Louis, embryonic stem cell transplants have repaired damaged spinal cords in rats, allowing previously paralyzed rats to walk again.
- In January 2005, a study by Japanese scientists found that embryonic stem cell transplants reversed Parkinson’s symptoms in monkeys. Recent animal studies by medical researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that embryonic stem cell transplants restored movement to rats paralyzed with an ALS-like syndrome.
- Researchers at Stanford University have successfully turned mouse embryonic stem cells into insulin-making tissue that kept diabetic mice alive, indicating that embryonic stem cells could provide a cure for juvenile diabetes. For more examples, please see the "Diseases and Injuries" section of our Web site.
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How many people suffer from diseases and injuries that could benefit from embryonic stem cell research?
It is estimated that the various medical conditions that could someday be cured or treated with embryonic stem cells currently afflict more than 500,000 Missouri children and adults and millions of other Americans, including a child, parent or grandparent in more than half of all families. In fact, almost everyone has a family member or friend who could benefit from embryonic stem cell research. Back »
What’s the special importance of stem cell research involving SCNT?
SCNT is a recent medical breakthrough that provides a way to use a patient's own cell, such as a skin cell, and a donated, unfertilized human egg to make embryonic stem cells that match the patient's genetic makeup.
Because SCNT stem cells will be pluripotent embryonic stem cells, they will have the potential to turn into any cell or tissue in the human body. In addition, because SCNT stem cells will be made with the patient's own genetic material, or DNA, they will match the patient’s genetic makeup. As a result, SCNT stem cells will avoid the need to find a genetically matching donor and the problem of immune system rejection, two limitations associated with both donated adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells from leftover fertility clinic embryos. This means SCNT stem cells could provide cures for diseases and injuries that cannot be cured with adult stem cells or with embryonic stem cells from leftover fertility clinic embryos.
For more information about SCNT, please see the following "About Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer" FAQs. Back »
Are embryonic stem cell treatments currently available for patients?
Not yet. Embryonic stem cell research is a new field. Human embryonic stem cells were first isolated in 1998, and SCNT was first performed with human cells in 2001. It takes years to do the basic research and the animal studies and human trials needed to develop and test any new medical treatments, and to get them approved for general use by doctors and patients.
However, a number of encouraging animal studies have already been conducted. And recently medical researchers in the U.S. and Great Britain submitted the first applications to use SCNT to make embryonic stem cells that match a patient's genetic makeup. This planned research involves patients who have degenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s, diabetes and ALS.
It’s possible that embryonic stem cell treatments for some diseases and injuries could become available within the next five to 10 years. Others could take longer to develop.
Voter approval of the Stem Cell Amendment ensures that Missouri patients will have access to new embryonic stem cell cures as soon as they are approved for use in the U.S. and ensures that Missouri’s medical institutions may help find and provide those cures. Back »
Opponents of embryonic stem cell research claim that adult stem cells already provide cures for 65 (or more) diseases. Is that claim true?
No, that is a false claim made by opponents of embryonic stem cell research who want to make people think embryonic stem cell research isn’t worthwhile.
The claim is apparently based on a list created by an opponent of embryonic stem cell research named David Prentice. Amazingly, there are a number of medical conditions included on his list, such as Parkinson’s disease and spinal cord injury, that are currently incurable with any form of treatment, including adult stem cells. Moreover, no existing FDA-approved adult stem cell treatments are available for the majority of the other medical conditions on the Prentice list.
The truth is, there are currently approved adult stem cell treatments for about 10 medical conditions. Adult stem cells from bone marrow are also used to ameliorate the side effects caused by drug or radiation treatments used to treat some types of cancer and other diseases.
However, the supposed list of "65 adult stem cell treatments" touted by opponents of embryonic stem cell research is a cynical distortion of the facts that is cruelly misleading to patients. Back »
Does embryonic stem cell research involve abortion?
No. Embryonic stem cell research does not involve abortion in any way whatsoever.
The two basic sources of embryonic stem cells are leftover fertility clinic embryos, which have not been implanted in a woman’s uterus and would otherwise be discarded and destroyed, and the SCNT process, which provides a way to use a patient’s own cell and an unfertilized human egg to make embryonic stem cells in a lab dish. Neither of these sources uses an embryo or fetus in a woman’s uterus, and they do not involve abortion. Back »
What are other states and countries doing in the field of embryonic stem cell research?
Embryonic stem cell research is being actively pursued at medical research facilities in states throughout the country. Some states, such as California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland and New Jersey, have recently passed legislation to support and encourage embryonic stem cell research.
Researchers in many other countries that have advanced medical research facilities are also actively pursuing embryonic stem cell research, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, Japan, Sweden, India, Australia, Israel and Spain. Back »
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