Cell of Cells: The Global Race to Capture and Control the Stem Cell.CELL OF CELLS: The Global Race to Capture and Control the Stem Cell stem cell In living organisms, an undifferentiated cell that can produce other cells that eventually make up specialized tissues and organs. There are two major types of stem cells, embryonic and adult. CYNTHIA FOX Despite a ban on the use of U.S.-government funds for creating and experimenting on new lines of human embryonic stem cells Embryonic stem cells (ES cells) are stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of an early stage embryo known as a blastocyst. Human embryos reach the blastocyst stage 4-5 days post fertilization, at which time they consist of 50-150 cells. ES cells are pluripotent. , progress is occurring in this highly promising field, Fox asserts. A science writer, she surveys current efforts to harness stem cells stem cells, unspecialized human or animal cells that can produce mature specialized body cells and at the same time replicate themselves. Embryonic stem cells are derived from a blastocyst (the blastula typical of placental mammals; see embryo), which is very young to cure diseases ranging from heart ailments to blindness, dementias, and cancer. The international race to isolate the first embryonic stem cell began only within the past decade, the author points out. Fox reviews the political climate affecting this area of science and notes how it leads to an unusual interplay in·ter·play n. Reciprocal action and reaction; interaction. intr.v. in·ter·played, in·ter·play·ing, in·ter·plays To act or react on each other; interact. among scientists at conferences, where researchers who work on adult stern cells seem pitted against those who study embryonic stem cells. Stem cell science is robust, Fox Concludes, despite strong religious and political pressures against it. Norton, 2007, 546 p., hardcover, $26.95. |
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