What is embryonic stem cell and what benefits does it bring among the human race?

Question

What is embryonic stem cell and what benefits does it bring among the human race?

Answer 1

Embryonic stem cells are cells taken from the embryo that have no specific instructions in them yet. They can still form into whatever based on the instructions they are given through chemical reactions.

Researchers attempt to add instructions to those cells to grow into whatever without great success at the present time. The potential for the research is huge, though. If someone's DNA could be added to a stem cell to form a new heart, new liver, or whatever, they would have a transplant organ that wouldn't be rejected by the body because it would have the same DNA. Stem cell research has great potential to cure diseases also, like arthritis and diabetes.

Answer 2

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

The most remarkable feature of embryonic stem cells is their ability to retain the developmental capacity to generate all functional adult cell types. Culture methods have been developed to turn embryonic stem cells into brain, heart, muscle cells, blood cells, blood vessels, skin, islet cells and bone cells.

It is therefore anticipated that research with embryonic stem cells will help to discover the factors necessary for regeneration and repair of tissues.

Researchers hope to be able to coax embryonic stem cells, and maybe also adult or cord blood stem cells, into producing cells and tissue for replacement therapies for treating disorders such as Parkinson's disease,

heart attacks,

blood disorders and

diabetes