Academic Review 2024

67 ACADEMIC REVIEW 2024

stem cells is that they are far less likely to become tumorous (Hartono, Muthukumar, & Suthanthiran, 2013). This is due to the fact that adult stem cells do not have the need to divide rapidly to produce cells as they are not taken from a blastocyst. Due to these facts, it can be argued that adult cells are more ethically viable as they have less potential of causing harm in the individual into which they are transplanted. CONCLUSION FOR ADULT STEM CELLS For the most part, adult stem cells do hold good promise in terms of research trials and usage in clinical genetic modification. Even though they do not have the same pluripotent properties as embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells still hold great potential as they are helping scientists understand how the cells in our bodies work. Researching these processes is resulting in greater understanding of how an illness or disease develops. As discussed, it is clear there is less ethical controversy surrounding adult stem cells, meaning that research can take place at a faster rate as there are fewer laws and agreements to abide by. cell-specific genes, and telomerase activity. Furthermore, these cells could differentiate into cell types of the three germ layers in vitro and in teratomas (Takahashi, 2007). Fibroblasts are found in connective tissues and are the most common cell type as they are found throughout the body and are the principal source of the extensive extracellular matrix characteristic of these tissues. From these studies it has been found that the volume of fibroblasts and the abundance of cells that are somatic cells means researchers can cultivate large colonies of cells from a single donor (Im & Seonghun Nho, 2020). This means the issues relating to histocompatibility with donor/recipient transplants can be avoided, limiting many of the risks associated with stem cell transfers. This research suggests that iPS are more ethically acceptable as many adult cells can be cultivated to produce the same effect as embryonic stem cells without the destruction of the oocyte.

time in culture, and there are usually only a very small number in each tissue making them difficult to locate and purify (University of Nebraska Medical Center, 2020). At this moment there is no technology available to generate large quantities of stem cells in culture. REDUCED ETHICAL CONTROVERSY Other people believe that adult stem cells are a more viable, ethical, and practical process compared to embryonic stem cell therapy. Adult stem cells have a lower risk of rejection because the cells are taken from the individual needing treatment and the person’s immune system detects that the antigens on the surface of the cells are the same as in the body. This lowers the need for immunosuppressant treatment; this is beneficial to the patient as it decreases the risk of infection as the treatment lowers the body’s immune response. These drugs are used to help doctors stop the immune system from overreacting and damaging transplanted cells, but with the cells coming from the patient’s body there is no need for the treatment. Another advantage that adult stem cells have over embryonic Induced pluripotent stem cells INTRODUCTION TO INDUCED PLURIPOTENT STEM CELLS Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are derived from adult stem cells. The adult stem cells are genetically reprogramed to become like pluripotent embryonic stem cells. The forced expression of genes and factors are imperative to maintain the defining properties of embryonic stem cells (Lo & Parham, 2009). This opens a whole new side of scientific research as scientists are able to investigate the pluripotent potentials of cells without the ethical burden of potential loss of life.

RESEARCH INTO THE USE OF INDUCED PLURIPOTENT STEM CELL PROCESSES

An article by Takahashi et al. in 2007 discussed the generation of iPS cells from adult human dermal fibroblasts. Their findings showed that human iPS cells are similar to human embryonic stem cells in morphology, proliferation, surface antigens, gene expression, epigenetic status of pluripotent