From embryos to embryonic stem cells: biopolitics and therapeutic potential

The inner cell mass of the preimplantation blastocyst, from which all the cells of the body develop, is a source of embryonic stem cells. These cells can be maintained in their undifferentiated state over long periods in culture and yet retain their pluripotency. The generation of human stem cells c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Reproductive biomedicine online 2006-11, Vol.13 (5), p.725-731
Main Authors: Cedar, SH, Cooke, JA, Luo, Z, Patel, MJ, Minger, SL
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cell Differentiation - physiology
Embryo Research - ethics
embryonic stem cells
Embryonic Stem Cells - transplantation
ESC
Humans
multipotent
Organ Culture Techniques - methods
pluripotent
Politics
somatic stem cells
Stem Cell Transplantation - ethics
Stem Cell Transplantation - methods
transplantation
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Summary:The inner cell mass of the preimplantation blastocyst, from which all the cells of the body develop, is a source of embryonic stem cells. These cells can be maintained in their undifferentiated state over long periods in culture and yet retain their pluripotency. The generation of human stem cells capable of differentiating into all the cell types of the human body opens the way for the use of these cells in therapeutic transplantation for a myriad of diseases. However, as discussed here, there are a number of logistical, biological, and clinical hurdles that must be overcome prior to the use of these cells in routine clinical practice.
ISSN:1472-6483
1472-6491
DOI:10.1016/S1472-6483(10)60664-5