Stem Cells and You
Name
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/archive/stemcells/
Part 1. Stem Cell Basics with Stem Cell Guy.
Click on Internet Link: What is a stem cell?
1. What is the job of a stem cell?
2. Why is a stem cell called a “stem cell”?
3. What does a signal do to a stem cell’s genes?
4. What do the proteins do that the genes make?
5. READ: Drag stem cell guy into the phone booth and dial up skin, bone, and red blood cell. View
the animations.
Part 2. Different Types of Stem Cells
Click on Internet Link: What are some different types of stem cells?
6. What is an embryonic stem cell?
7. How long does it take for an embryonic stem cell to become a blastocyts stem cell?
8. Are embryonic and blastocyts pluripotent (can make any cell in the body)?
9. How long does it take for a stem cell to become a fetal stem cell?
10. Umbilical stem cell: what does multipotent mean, and is an umbilical stem cell multi or pluripotent?
11. Where are adult stem cells in the body?
READ. TAKE THE STEM CELL QUIZ AT THE END. What did you get on the quiz?
Stem Cells and You 2011.docx 02/10/11
Part 3. Stem Cell Therapies In The Future
READ. Today’s stem cell therapies usually rely on cells that are donated by another person. This raises the
possibility of donor cell rejection by the patient’s immune system. In the future, it may be possible for a person
to use a sample of his or her own stem cells to regenerate tissue, which would reduce or even eliminate the
danger of rejection. How might this be done? Some possibilities include:
•
Collecting healthy adult stem cells from a patient and manipulating them in the laboratory to create new
tissue. The tissue would be re-transplanted back into the patient’s body, where it would work to restore
a lost function (diagram A).
•
Scientists might be able to create embryonic stem cells that are genetically identical to the patient.
•
Scientists might design a drug that would direct a certain type of stem cell to restore a lost function
inside the patient’s body. This approach would eliminate the need for invasive surgical procedures to
harvest and transplant stem cells (diagram B).
On the surface, the possibilities for stem cell therapy seem limitless. Couldn’t we use stem cell technologies to
replace any diseased or damaged tissue in the body? To answer this question, researchers must figure out the
true potential and limitations of stem cells.
Stem Cells and You 2011.docx 02/10/11
2
Part 4. The embryonic Stem Cell Controversy.
READ. REVIEW INTERNET LINK: DIFFERENT TYPES OF STEM CELLS – Embryonic Stem Cells
Federal Policy
READ. Embryonic Stem Cell research is controversial because the U.S. government limits how much federal
money will be spent on stem cell research based on the criteria below.
On August 9, 2001, the President of the United States announced that federal funds may be awarded for
research using human embryonic stem cells if the following criteria are met:
1. The stem cells must have been derived from an embryo that was created for reproductive purposes and
was no longer needed.
2. Informed consent must have been obtained for the donation of the embryo and that donation must not
have involved financial inducements.
3. The embryo must not be created solely for the purpose of scientific research.
4. If an embryo was created for scientific research, it must have been created prior to 9:00 P.M. EDT on
August 9, 2001.
Criteria number three is the one that currently limits research the most because it raises the question of where
life starts.
Criteria number one is controversial because it is questionable if life was ended to utilize the embryo.
Criteria number four is controversial because many research facilities in the U.S. (UW-Madison, go badgers!)
created embryonic stem cells prior to August 9, 2001.
Part 5. Stem Cells and You.
12. How could stem cells specifically help you or one of your family members?
13. Think of three sicknesses that could be cured or stabilized (helped) by using stem cells and do your best
to explain how stem cells would help this disease.
14. Make a prediction as to when embryonic stem cell research will be funded by the government without
the restrictions above or explain why you think embryonic stem cell research will never get government
funding.
15. There are 5 different types of stems cells (remember part 2). Which ones do you think are appropriate to
use for research. Why? Do you think any particular type is inappropriate to use? Why?
Stem Cells and You 2011.docx 02/10/11
3