2. Stem cells
Stem cells are cells that develops into a specialised cells such as blood, brain,
tissue or muscle-cells. They can form in any cell of the human body. These cells could
also be known as pluripotent cells. Over the years, Stem cells have been useful in treating
serious cancers. If stem cells from an umbilical cord blood is available, children can be
treated much more faster and with better results.
Stem cells are found in both children and adults. Some cells have the ability and
potential to repair or replaces damaged tissues and cells. Stems cells are capable in
dividing and renewing them-self for quite a long period. No other cell in the human body
has the ability to self-renew or to differentiate. Stem cell transplantation for cancer and
blood diseases: Stem cells have been useful in treating serious cancers. If stem cells from
an umbilical cord blood is available, children can be treated much more faster and with
better results. This means that stems could possibly have a big effect on the human body,
and can treat serious diseases such as Cancer and diabetes, this means that effect on then
human body can treat serious diseases in children and in adults.
Stem cells are very useful in treating serious diseases and some there advantages in using
stem cells. Provide a renewable source of replacement cells for for people who are
suffering from serious diseases. (See picture 1)
Pic 1: Left, severed finger - and,
right, the finger 'regrown'
A man who got the tip of his finger
cut. His finger was regrown using
stem cell therapy.
(Hanlon, Mail online, 2008,
28/09/2010)
Other advantages is that also helps birth defect. U.S surgeons have discovered a
new technique in to repair birth-defect with a custom made tissue grown from an unborn
child's own fetal cells. After several tries using a sheep, the team plans that to grow a

3. human fetal tissue to repair the birth defect and it would be ready to implant when the
baby is born.
“The tissue would be completely compatible because it is the baby's own tissue, so there
would be no rejection issues,” pediatric surgeon Dario Fauza said. (Stem cell news 2005)
Stem cells can also reduce the risk of transplantation. It reduces your risk of life-
threatening infections, anemia and bleeding, it also reduces the risk of getting human
organisms removed.
With big advantages comes big disadvantages. According to a new research stem
cell therapy used on heart disease patients was dangerous because researchers found that
it can make their coronary arteries become narrower. This has been one of the biggest
dangers of stem cell, so researchers are trying to discover a different treatment for heart
disease patients. Another disadvantage is that embryonic stem cells are derived from
embryos that are not from the patient, so the patient’s body might reject it. According to
researchers Embryonic stem cells might not be the solution to ailments, so this may effect
the people who are suffering from ailment, researchers are also to discover an new
solution or technique for people who are suffering from ailments.
Stem cells interacts with many areas, however the one that is in relation with the
most is ethical. Many people including religious leaders believe that destroying a cell in
an embryo is just like killing a human being. They say that a human embryo develops or
obtains a soul. Like other countries, Islamic countries have been involved in stem cells
research for almost 5 years. Among the Islamic countries Iran took part in the stem cell
research (hES), along with other like Turkey and Singapore. (The majority of the them
were Muslims). Embryos research politics are influenced with the religious belief rights,
this begins only after the ensoulment of the fetus. This is mostly believed by Muslim
scholars. It’s says in the Qua’ra (the holy book of Islam) that preventing humans from
suffering from illness means that the use of embryos for stem cells is uncontroversial.
Economics also covers up all about stem cells. Billions is spent only on stem cell
research. But, some say that it’s not worth it and that the government should invest the
stem cell research for where there could be any side effects to it and all the money they
wasted on would go to waste. So some people say it should be banned for good. However
scientists say that this case would be completed in a few years, with economical support.
In conclusion, I personally don’t think that there is going a be any good solution for the
ethical issue, since most religions banned them because they think it killing life. I think
that my overall topic is pretty interesting because there are lots of solutions and

4. treatments to cure serious diseases such as diabetes and cancer, however these solutions
could also lead to side effects. So, I think it’s pretty interesting what scientist came out
with to prevent these side effects.
Bibliography
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- Globe, CAROLYN ABRAHAMMEDICAL REPORTERThe, and Mail10 October 2005.
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improve-others/>.
By: Jaffer Moh’d