The Hype Around Stem Cells

Why are STEM cells provoking so many reactions in all communities, STEM and non-STEM alike? (See what I did there).

A quick Google search will tell you that stem cells can "develop into many different types of cells and regenerate themselves." Yes, that sounds intriguing, but what truly is the science behind these supposedly self-renewing cells?

Contrary to what many people used to believe, stem cells are not a new genetically engineered discovery. In cell lineage, stem cells are the earliest (i.e. oldest) cells. These undifferentiated, or non-specific cells have the potential to specialize into various anatomical functions. Around 100 cells make up the inner mass of an embryo, and all of these have stem cell capabilities. Eventually, these cells specialize in some part of the body: stem cells can transform into muscle cells, intestinal cells, liver cells, retinal cells, and much more.

During embryonic development, cells of the inner mass divide and continually become more specialized. "Self-renewal" is facilitated through asymmetric and stochastic cell division - in asymmetric cell division, a stem cell divides into two cells: 1) an identical cell and 2) a differentiated cell, which has the potential to transform into any other cell the body needs. Stochastic cell division produces two differentiated daughter cells, and another stem cell undergoes mitosis and produces stem cells identical to the original.

No doubt, the ability to regenerate cells (versatile, undifferentiated ones at that; cells that can morph into any specific type) holds vast potential for so many areas of medicine. Stem cells can be used to fix damaged tissue (including serious issues like heart disease and spinal cord surgeries), hematopoietic cells from the bone marrow can be used for bone marrow transplants and stem cells are also being researched for development in cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.

However, the technicalities of stem cell implementation prove to be immensely challenging.

Stem cells, especially embryonic ones, remain a theoretically potential source for regenerative medicine and tissue replacement. However, ES cells have not been approved. In January 2009, a human trial was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, it wasn't initiated until October 2010, when it was finally used for spinal cord injury research. Just one year later, in November of 2011, the company conducting the trial (Geron Corporation) said it would discontinue all further development of any stem cell programs. The reason for this discontinuation was not publicly stated, but it could be that externally/artificially converting ES into usable cells outside of an embryonic body may result in transplant rejection. Embryonic stem cells require specific signals for correct differentiation, and replication of these signals is nearly impossible. If injected directly into another body, as would be the case when embryonic cells are implemented in the real world, ES cells would differentiate into a multitude of cells, causing a medical condition known as a teratoma. Additionally, ethical considerations surround the implementation of ES cells, since embryonic cells are sourced from unborn human tissue. This is another reason for the lack of approved treatments. Many research institutions have not been able to make progress on stem cell implementation primarily because the use of ES cells is unapproved.

Stem cells have a scientific novelty despite being the oldest cells in the cell lineage. They undoubtedly possess incredible medicinal potential due to their regenerative properties. The generation of cells and tissues could revolutionize the landscape of medicine. Many injuries and illnesses can be fixed if new, safe, and specialized cells are implemented. Unfortunately, the implementation of stem cells for medicine is easier said than done. Moral implications, legislative unapproval, and scientific technicalities prevent stem cells from actually being used for regenerative purposes, at least for right now. Stem cells are no doubt incredible, but the mass media hype around them, is, dare I say, somewhat unfounded.