Potential uses of stem cells

Stem cells have potential uses in many different areas of research and medicine, as described below. However, these applications are all likely to be 10-20 years away.

Replacing damaged tissue

Human stem cells could be used in the generation of cells and tissues for cell-based therapies. This involves treating patients by transplanting specialised cells that have been grown from stem cells in the laboratory.

Due to their ability to replace damaged cells in the body, stem cells could be used to treat a range of conditions including heart failure, spinal injuries, diabetes and Parkinson disease. Scientists hope that transplantation and growth of appropriate stem cells in damaged tissue will regenerate the various cell types of that tissue.

For example, haematopoietic stem cells (stem cells found in bone marrow) could be transplanted into patients with leukaemia to generate new blood cells. Or, neural stem cells may be able to regenerate nerve tissue damaged by spinal injury.

Studying human development

Stem cells could be used to study early events in human development and find out more about how cells differentiate and function. This may help researchers find out why some cells become cancerous and how some genetic diseases develop. This knowledge may lead to clues about how these diseases may be prevented.

Testing new drugs

Stem cells grown in the laboratory may be useful for testing drugs and chemicals before they are trialled in people. The cells could be directed to differentiate into the cell types that are important for screening that drug. These cells may be more likely to mimic the response of human tissue to the drug being tested than animal models do. This may make drug testing safer, cheaper and more ethically acceptable to those who oppose the use of animals in pharmaceutical testing.

Screening toxins

Stem cells may be useful for screening potential toxins in substances such as pesticides before they are used in the environment.

Testing gene therapy methods

Stem cells may prove useful during the development of new methods for gene therapy that may help people suffering from genetic illnesses.

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