The complexity of stem cells: research, ethics, and treatment – Fabian Iofciulescu
Stem cells are fascinating due to their abilities to self-renew and to differentiate into other cells that make up a full organism. Scientists have been trying to tackle the mystery surrounding them for decades, searching for methods to culture and direct them to differentiate into one desired type of cell, in hopes of using them to fix or replace the tissues damaged by disease. One of the most recent breakthroughs in the world of stem cell research is the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells, which are adult stem cells (those found in adult tissues), that have been reprogrammed to pluripotency (the ability to differentiate into all the other cells of the body). The study of stem cells has made its presence felt in Romania, Germany and South Korea, with therapies (like the bone marrow transplant) and clinical trials (like the one meant to ameliorate symptoms of autism spectrum disorder) being notable highlights of the hard work of doctors and scientists in this field. The history of stem cell research is vast and complex, starting from the coinage of the term “stem cells” in the 19th century by Professor Ernst Haeckel and thriving until the present day, each new discovery being documented and marked in time. Although stem cells, especially the embryonic type, are surrounded by controversy, and public attitudes towards them differ greatly, their potential to some day cure devastating illnesses, such as Parkinson’s, diabetes and Alzheimer’s, determine scientists to move on with their research, in order to establish proper treatments in the future.
