CURE, NOT TREATMENT
Stem Cells may Repair Muscle and Tissue Damage
by: Dr. Andrew J. Rochman
Scientists
are conducting extensive research in the field of regenerative medicine to
boost immunity and treat diseases with the help of stem cells taken from the
patient’s own body. As many of our organs have the power to regenerate
themselves, such as liver and skin, it is hoped that soon the growing field of stem
cell regeneration will allow for the treatment and rebuilding of muscle mass, damaged
tissues, and even failing organs.
What Are Stem Cells?
Stem
cells are biological cells within the human body that can be converted into a
variety of different cell types to help with the healing and regeneration of
other organs and body parts.
The
most common stem cells used by regenerative medicine are the embryonic and
adult stem cells, both of which have differing properties and uses.
(Stemcells.nih.gov, 2014)
How Are Stem Cells Used?
Stem
cells taken from a patient’s body are used for the generation of organs and tissues,
which can then be transplanted within the body. Complete organs and minor illnesses
have successfully been treated with the help of
this innovative research field. The cured conditions include blindness, minor
brain damage, burns, broken bones, and others. (Cirm.ca.gov, 2014) Thus,
the process is relatively simple. The stem cells are extracted from your body,
cultured externally in controlled environments, and then returned to your body
to initiate the healing process or replace the damaged organ.
Current Research in Stem Cells
Today,
stem cell research is being conducted all over the globe with positive results.
However, although simple therapies for minor tissue regeneration have been
successful, complex cures will require time and effort of some of the leading
researchers in this field in order to show the best outcomes. (Cirm.ca.gov,
2014). After
performing stem cell research on animals, humans are now being tested for
similar results. A few therapies that have shown amazingly positive outcomes
include:
1. Regeneration of Organs
As
mentioned above, adult humans have certain organs that can regenerate on their own,
but this is not so for every body part. Thus, with the help of stem cells, damaged
organs can now be recreated externally for transplant.
The
biggest risk with transplants in the past was that, often, the patients’ bodies
rejected the organ provided by the donor, making the process futile. However,
when organs are generated from your very own cells, this risk will be considerably
reduced with high probability of organ acceptability after the transplant
process.
2. Rejuvenation of the Body
With
age, the body loses its ability to maintain itself. Thus, health issues arise
and immune systems weaken. All this occurs due to the increased dormancy of stem
cells in the body, which ultimately causes tissues and organ failure.
Although
this is all part of a natural process, researchers are performing various
experiments to bring back our youth. They believe that by fusing old and aged
stem cells with young ones, the body’s fitness can be returned with the help of
tissue regeneration therapies.
Stem
cell regeneration has shown positive results where simple organ regeneration is
concerned, and it is to be hoped that future research will also make it
possible to regenerate aged stem cells and complex organs for a longer and
healthier human existence. (Fight Aging! 2014)
References
Cirm.ca.gov, (2014). Disease Information
| California's Stem Cell Agency. [online] Available at: http://www.cirm.ca.gov/our-progress/disease-information
[Accessed 14 May. 2014].
Cirm.ca.gov, (2014). Stem Cells as
Therapies | California's Stem Cell Agency. [online] Available at: http://www.cirm.ca.gov/our-progress/stem-cells-therapies
[Accessed 14 May. 2014].
Fight Aging!, (2014). Stem Cells,
Regenerative Medicine, and Tissue Engineering. [online] Available at: https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2003/11/stem-cells-regenerative-medicine-and-tissue-engineering.php
[Accessed 14 May. 2014].
Stemcells.nih.gov, (2014). Stem Cell
Basics: Introduction [Stem Cell Information]. [online] Available at: http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/pages/basics1.aspx
[Accessed 14 May. 2014].
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