2 Uses of Stem Cells

In a 2016 study, a company trialled the use of embryonic stem cells, in order to
combat paralysis. Six people, with varying levels of paralysis were selected, and over one
year results began to come in. 4 of the 6 patients had their mobility improve enough to
increase their quality of life and standard of living. There are arguments to show that the
stem cells did not necessarily cause this improvement. Up to 27% of people who were
paralysed like these 6 can spontaneously recover to different levels. However, the study
seems successful, as 4/6 is more like 60%. The way that these patients are actually treated
involves taking embryonic stem cells, often from IVF eggs, and culturing these in a lab,
before infusing them into a patients spinal chord. These can help to rebuild damaged areas,
as some can develop into specialised neurons, replacing damaged neurons, making it
possible to reduce paralysis.
Stem cells can also be used to study development. Scientists are now able to follow
the development of an embryo in a laboratory. They can identify the signals and
mechanisms that cause stem cells to divide into specialised parts of a human, such as skin
and organs. As a result of this, scientists can understand what controls normal development
in humans. This knowledge could help increase the understanding around diseases like
cancer, where abnormal development is a major factor. Scientists might be able to learn
how these diseases happen, and therefore may learn better treatment/therapy options.