On March 9, 2009 it was announced that president Obama has removed the restrictions on embryonic stem cell research in the USA. These new laws now allow researchers to use thousands of new stem cells for research, and they do not have to be approved by federal government; however human cloning is still not allowed. Therapeutic cloning is not the cloning of a human by creating a baby; as a lot of the public might think. It is cloning of a stem cell which can later be used to create organs which might save a life or more.
The process of therapeutic cloning begins with extracting DNA from the patient. At the same time the nucleus is removed from a donor egg. At this point the DNA is then placed into the donor egg, which then forms an embryo. The embryo is then allowed to grow for approximately 14days. By the early stages the embryo the embryonic cells are totipotent, meaning that they have no specific gene structure and can become any part of the body. These stem cells are then extracted.
The stem cells can be used in two different ways after it has been extracted. It can either be used for creating human tissue or organs, or it can be infused into the patient. When used for creating tissue or organs, the stem cells are encouraged to grow into something specific outside of the patient and then transplanted to the body of the patient. This is useful for organ transplants. If the stem cell is infused into the patient, the body sends it a signal. The stem cell then changes its gene structure and creates curtain proteins which help it grow into the function that is needed by the body. This treatment is one of the latest used for treating Rheumatoid Arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, Heart disease, Alzheimers disease and many more.
With the study being done on cell genetics and their functions, we are able to know which cell is best suitable for cloning, which treamnet is best and how to speed up the process. This has lead to therapeutic cloning which will has to the treatment of diseases, and all this is possible by the production of a genetically identical stem cell.
If interested in more latest advances visit: http://www.cellmedicine.com/news.asp
References:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/clo_ther.htm
genomicenterprise.com/stem_cells
http://www.explorestemcells.co.uk/TherapeuticCloning.html
http://www.cellmedicine.com/news.asp
by: 41925245
