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stem cells
stem cell
stem cell A cell that is not differentiated itself but can undergo unlimited division to form other cells, which either remain as stem cells or differentiate to form specialized cells. For example, stem cells in the bone marrow divide to produce daughter cells that differentiate into various types of immune cell (e.g. monocytes, lymphocytes, mast cells). Also, stem cells in the intestine continually divide to replace cells sloughed off the gut lining.
Embryonic stem cells, such as those taken from an early human embryo, are capable of differentiating into many or all of the various tissue cells found in a fully developed individual – they are described as
pluripotent. Cultures of such cells have the potential to provide replacement tissues and organs for medical use, including transplantation. However, ethical concerns have led to tight controls on research using human embryonic stem cells in many countries, including the USA and UK. See also
haemopoietic tissue.
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Stem Cell Transplantation
Encyclopedia entry from: Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed.
Stem Cell Transplantation Definition Stem cells are basic human cells that reproduce (replicate) easily, providing...continuous source of new, sometimes different types of cells. A stem cell transplant is a procedure that replaces unhealthy...
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Stem Cell Research
Encyclopedia entry from: Encyclopedia of Science and Religion
...cells such as blood, skin, and nerve cells. In order to extract these embryonic stem cells, scientists must collapse the trophectoderm...the blastocyst in order to get the stem cells from the inner cell mass (ICM) where they reside within...
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stem cell research
Book article from: A Dictionary of Buddhism
stem cell research. Based on...the use of human stem cells in the treatment of...for the use of the cells the situation can be...existing embryonic stem cell lines, but not to...and holds that the cells obtained through abortion...
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stem cell
Book article from: A Dictionary of Biology
stem cell A cell that is not differentiated...unlimited division to form other cells, which either remain as stem...divide to produce daughter cells that differentiate into various types of immune cell (e.g. monocytes, lymphocytes...
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stem cells
Book article from: The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition
...apply to financing work with stem cells, and guidelines for financing...against financing embryonic stem cell research, announced in Aug...research with embryonic stem cells, but only with the estimated 60 stem cell lines then existing. Some...
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