Stem Cell Research- Using stem cells from Testes to produce Insulin Research Paper

Stem Cell - Using stem cells from Testes to produce Insulin for Type 1 Diabetics - Research Paper Example There are conventional treatments available but they do not cure the disease. Now, scientists have given some hopes to the disease stricken patients with a new type of treatment with the stem cells. Stem cells are found in different tissues. They develop and divide into many other types of cells especially in the early age. The self-reproductive stem cells serve to repair damage tissues. When a stem cell divides, it might remain the same type or becomes a specialized cell e.g. a brain cell. Until 2006, Scientists were mostly working with â€Å"embryonic stem cells† and â€Å"Somatic or Adult stem cell†. Now they have learned to alter special cells genetically and use them for special purposes as a stem cell. The regenerative property of a stem cell opens new venues to explore and may find permanent cure for diseases like diabetes. Recent research at Georgetown University shows that stem cells from human testicles, which produce sperms, can be genetically programmed to p roduce insulin by transplanting into the human body. Clinical experiments indicate a lower amount of insulin produced by this method and researchers are pondering to find a way to bring it to a required level. Just like any other transplant, if the organ is donated by someone else, body takes it as a foreign intruder in the system. The immune system immediately tries to stop it from proper functioning. To reverse the process, a patient has to take immune-suppress medication for the rest of the life. In an effort to offer resistance to the newly implanted cell, immune system destroys the original beta cells. Since cells that are being transplanted, are extracted from the same person so the body does not perceive them as foreign agents. After removing cells from testes, also called spermatogonial cells, placed in a specially designed media where they are chemically changed to produce insulin like beta cells. In other research programs, Induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs), artificia lly derived from Adult cells and changed by inducing forced genes and proteins to act similar to embryonic stem cells. Thr artificial method to program IPSCs, pose serious threats to introduce cancerous tissues in the body. But the new research in 2008 indicates the possibilities of stem cells in curing diseases. Scientists have disclosed a technique to separate the oncogene, largely cause cancer, from pluripotent cells after their transplantation. A new approach, yet to test on humans, of generating IPSCs cells by injecting proteins might be suitable for therapeutic use. Adopting this new technique eradicate the need of genetic alteration. The ongoing research at Georgetown University focuses on finding a treatment for type-1 diabetes in which cells are persuaded to function like IPSCs. The threat of tumor ‘teratomas’, may destroy the newly formed insulin cells. Another concern is the elimination of alpha cells which produces ‘glucagon’ with the beata cell s. Glucagon becomes active when the sugar level drops to a certain level and may cause death. In order to find a commplete remedy from Type-1 diabetes, researchers are looking towards a readily available source of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). SSCs are derived from testicles and not required to add new genes. These cells show similar characteristics to that of beta islet cells. The scientists successful in lowering the glucose level after planting these cells into diabetic mice, showing that enough insulin is

(Social Work) Late Adulthood Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

(Social Work) Late Adulthood - Essay Example These stages are the physical growth and development, cognitive growth and development and socio-emotional growth and development. That this group or stage of development is sensitive is a matter that scholars and theoreticians readily agree on. According to Erikson model of development, this stage of development can be split into four stages: the infancy stage which starts from childbirth to 18 months, the early childhood stage which begins from 18 months to 3 years, the play age, 3 to 5 years, and the school age, 6 to 12. Erik Erikson’s Model sees the infancy stage as the Oral Sensory Stage wherein the baby tends to feel the environment through the mouth. The importance of this stage is marked by the child either learning to trust or to mistrust, depending on the prevailing circumstances within the environment. At the same time, it is observed that passing successfully through this life’s stage is invitational of an inherent sense of hope and self-drive (Davenport, 19 94, 65). This is then followed by the early childhood age where the outcome of the ego development begins to take shape. It is in this period where the child either becomes courageous or ashamed. The same stage also sees the child develop the knack for making initiatives instead of being accosted by feelings of guilt, if the surroundings are conducive. In the play stage, the initiative vs. guilt plays out. If the child is for instance raised under the tutelage of caretakers or parents who criticise and castigate the child, it may be impossible for the child to gain traits such as purpose and determination (Butler and Hickman, 2011, 22). In the school age period, the child learns to either become industrious or inferior. Eventually, the child gets to become more methodological and competent. It is at this stage that children are able to learn, create and accomplish an array of new skills and knowledge, and thereby developing a sense of