is it possible to use stem cell research instead of animal testing for developin!


Question: Is it possible to use stem cell research instead of animal testing for developing medications and drugs?
and if so how exactly and specifically?

Answers:

The answer above is failing to point out the different types of stem cells. Stem cells are biological cells found in all multicellular organisms, that can divide through mitosis and differentiate into diverse specialized cell types and can self renew to produce more stem cells. In mammals, there are two broad types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells that are isolated from the inner cell mass of blastocysts, and adult stem cells that are found in various tissues. In adult organisms, stem cells and progenitor cells act as a repair system for the body, replenished in adult tissues. In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate into all the specialized cells, but also maintain the normal turnover of regenerative organs, such as blood, skin, or intestinal tissues.

Most drug research requires living animals or tissue to get an accurate vector of the drug or chemical that they are investigating. They need cells in their end form and in a fully developed state because drugs are typically used on fully developed tissue or animals/people.



yes and no.

stem cells are cells taken form fetus, they haven't been told what type of cell they are going to be, eg hair, skin, lung ect. If you put stem cell into damaged organ eg the heart, the stem cell will adapt and become a heart cell, in theory helping the heart heal.

However stem cell research is highly controversial and has been banned in a number of countries (the stem cells are obtained from aborted fetus's) - not everyone agrees this is right, plus some see it as playing God.

Stem cells wouldn't be any use in developing drugs and medications as they have no "form" so they would just adapt and change abnormally.

hope this helps




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