By: Ian Murnaghan BSc (hons), MSc - Updated: 8 Feb 2019| *Discuss

Embryonic stem cells have generated an enormous amount of ethical controversy and discussion, primarily because of their source. As the name implies, embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos. As with all stem cells, embryonic stem cells are unspecialised cells that have the ability to:

The embryonic stem cells are usually derived from in vitro fertilisation, where the eggs have been fertilised in vitro (not in a woman's body) and donated for research with donor consent. The embryos are generally utilised when they are approximately four or five days old and constitute a tiny ball of cells known as a blastocyst. Pluripotent embryonic stem cells are derived from the blastocyst. Embryonic stem cells can, however, be either totipotent or pluripotent cells. Those cells that are totipotent include the fertilised egg itself as well as the cells produced during the very early divisions. These totipotent embryonic stem cells have the ability to become any cell in the human body. Pluripotent stem cells, on the other hand, can become any type of cell in the body except those needed to develop a foetus.

Research on embryonic stem cells can also improve the safety of drugs. By testing drugs on embryonic stem cell lines, scientists can gauge their safety before testing them further in laboratory animals and human subjects. Also beneficial would be the knowledge of precisely how embryonic stem cells differentiate and proliferate. Many serious medical conditions such as cancer and birth defects result from dysfunctional cell replication and specialisation. If researchers can learn exactly what happens during normal healthy cell development, they can better understand what happens to lead to disease.

Embryonic stem cells are certainly a promising discovery, but their use will likely not become consistent and approved until procedures for isolating and growing them are proven and defined. A lack of widespread public acceptance also clouds the therapeutic use of embryonic stem cells but hopefully, the concerns and challenges can be overcome in the future so that those suffering from serious diseases can benefit from embryonic stem cells.

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Embryonic Stem Cells