Stem cells 101

  • Article by: JEAN SWENSON
  • Updated: April 7, 2011 - 10:24 PM

Photo: Paul Lachine, NewsArt

CameraStar Tribune photo galleries

Cameraview larger

My heart goes out to patients and families waiting for effective treatments and cures.

I, too, have been waiting, and actively working toward a cure for my paralysis since a 1980 spinal cord injury.

A bill making its way through the Legislature, the Human Cloning Prohibition Act, has created quite a stir among those who say its passage would hinder research and treatment.

I respectfully disagree. As someone who stands to benefit from cutting-edge research, I'd like to clear up some common misunderstandings.

This short Q&A will help you understand human cloning and stem cell research so that you can accurately voice your opinion.

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are essentially "blank" cells found in embryos and humans of any age that can divide and change into specialized cells (such as heart or nerve cells). It is important to distinguish between embryonic stems cells and adult stem cells.

What are embryonic stem cells?

Harvested from five-day-old embryos, they are cells that normally would develop into a fetus and then a baby. All current embryonic stem cells are from fertilized embryos acquired from fertilization clinics.

What are adult stem cells?

Obtained from many tissues in humans throughout their lifespan, these cells generate replacements for old or damaged cells. For example, bone marrow stem cells replenish blood cells, but can also stimulate repair of other tissues.

Do embryonic stem cells present any medical problems?

Yes. Designed for rapidly growing embryos, they are unpredictable when implanted in adults and often form tumors called teratomas (made up of hair, teeth, and bone, for example). Because of genetic differences, embryonic stem cells also cause tissue rejection. To date, no human being has been successfully treated using embryonic stem cells.

Do adult stem cells present any medical problems?

No. Adult stem cells do not cause tissue rejection or form tumors, and they are already being used for over 73 human treatments (see ). Examples of successful treatments (not all necessarily cures) include heart damage, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, corneal blindness and sickle cell anemia.

What is human cloning?

Simplified, the DNA from a patient's somatic (body) cell is inserted into a woman's egg, from which the DNA has been removed. The resulting embryo (clone) would supposedly be genetically identical to the patient.

What is the difference between "therapeutic cloning" and "reproductive cloning"?

  • related content

  • Stem cells, cloning and the GOP

    Saturday April 9, 2011

    The University of Minnesota does not, has not and will not perform human reproductive cloning research.

  • Don't criminalize scientific research

    Thursday April 7, 2011

    A breathtakingly anti-jobs bill being fast-tracked by anti-abortion activist Sen. Michelle Fischbach, R-Paynesville, not only would have bioscience firms exiting the state, it would result in a massive brain drain.

  • get related content delivered to your inbox

  • manage my email subscriptions


  • about opinion


  • Submit a letter or commentary