Stem cell technology has always been an advanced and integral part of medical history. Stem cells are those immature cells that posses the ability to develop into different cells and tissues in the whole body. The cells can be categorized into two types – adult cells and embryonic stem cells. Adult cells grow in the adult tissues developed already. Till date adult stem cells have been found in blood, muscle, skin, bone and brain. Embryonic stem cells are isolated from embryo. The stem cells are considered to be life saving cells specially for patients suffering from leukemia or other blood disorders such as lymphoma and some tumors. Nowadays, medical experts are engaged in finding how stem cells can be used to treat diseases and injuries.
Recently, collaboration between renowned doctor of Detroit and Michigan University has opened new doors to embryonic stem cell lines. These stem cells lines will prove to be a milestone to help researchers in studying the formation and further development of some particular diseases and also finding new treatments for some fatal diseases. Two new stem cells lines created by Michigan university contain genes for inherited diseases. One stem line has the genetic mutation gene which causes hemophilia B, a condition in which blood does not clot. While other carry Charcot-Marie-tooth disorder gene in which muscles in hand, lower leg and foot get degenerated.
The researchers were able to make new stem cell line during embryo donation program facilitated by Dr. Hughes in the year of 2008. Hughes is an expert in genetic diagnosis done before embryo implantation. The test helps couples to have healthy baby in case if the child shows signs of inherited disorder. Under the stem cell therapy infertile couples are required to go through the phenomenon of in vitro fertilization- embryo is generated in petri-dish and then implanted. Before implantation Hughes checks each cell to ensure that they do not possess the risk of genetic mutations.
Earlier embryos having genetically mutated genes were use discarded as couples did not want to use them. Nowadays, Hughes and other doctors are asking couples to donate them. According to him, today, medical science is interested to treat such cells. According to U-M, it is like curing life of diseased infants. Those who are suffering from injuries of spinal cord are very impressed by the progress made by research of Michigan University. Few days earlier, a couple donated an embryo having gens for myotonic dystrophy, a disorder of progressive muscle wasting and have successfully obtained consent from many couples to donate embryo with genetic disorders in future.
The research will prove to be fruitful for the future of Michigan stem cell research. U-M is the first to generate embryonic stem cell lines. It would be a boon for both the patients and doctors fighting to cure such diseases. It is further a hope that this research will surely bring many new facts into light that will possibly provide solution to many other diseases. Thus the best a person can do at the current moment is to encourage couples to use medical techniques and donate genetically mutated embryos to prevent spoiling the future of these children.
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