Question

Distinguish between adult and embryonic stem cells. What are the moral differences between adult and embryonic stem cells? Are there any moral problems with adult stem cell research?

Answer 1

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ADULT STEM CELL AND EMBRYONIC STEM CELL:-
1. Description:-
(a) Adult stem cells:-
-These are undifferentiated cells, found throughout the body after development, that multiply by cell division to replenish dying cells and regenerate damaged tissues.

(b) Embryonic stem cells:-
- stem cells that are derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst, an early-stage embryo.

2. Synonyms:-
(a) Adult stem cells:-
- Somatic stem cells
- Multipotent stem cell
(b) Embryonic stem cell:-
-Pluripotent stem cell

3. Derived from:-
(a) Adult stem cells:- Adult Tissue
(b) Embryonic stem cell:- Early embryo

4. Features:-
(a) Adult stem cells:-
- Multiply by cell division to replenish dying cells and regenerate damaged tissues.
- Generate all the cell types of the organ from which they originate.
- Potentially regenerating the entire organ from a few cells.

(b) Embryonic stem cell:-
-Ability to differentiate into any cell type within the human body.
-Ability to propagate division to regenerate damaged cells and to form organs and tissues.

5. Benefits:-
(a) adult stem cell:-
- Diseases that could potentially be treated by pluripotent stem cells.
- Example- blood and immune-system related genetic diseases, cancers, and disorders, blindness and spinal cord injuries.