• Question: If stem celll reseach continues, what benefits would it bring and how would it help?

    Asked by sarah14 to Asif, Laura, Lena, Sean, Viv on 13 Mar 2012. This question was also asked by tobes123.
    • Photo: Laura Waters

      Laura Waters answered on 13 Mar 2012:

      This is a hard one to answer as nobody knows really. I think that some great new stuff could come out of it though but people disagree with it so much it may never get any funding. Winning over the public is the first thing you need to do. I hope that you all think about science rather than just agree with what your parents or teachers tell you, thinking for yourself is important as a scientist.

    • Photo: Sean Murphy

      Sean Murphy answered on 13 Mar 2012:

      Stem cell research is very important, and will one day give us the ability to generate any of the 200 cell types that make up our body. When we combine these cells with technology like 3D printers, we will be able to build complete 3D organs that will be able to be transplanted into patients that need them. Another benefit will be that we will be able to generate human-like organs and systems to test new drugs, reducing the need to test on animals.

      It is also important to know that there are many different types of stem cells. The most commonly discussed are embryonic stem cells, which are quite controversial. However, there is a lot of research into types of stem cells that can be isolated from the skin, blood, placenta and many other tissues. None of these types of stem cells are controversial because they can be isolated from a simple biopsy or from discarded tissue.

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