Samantha Sigman
November 10th, 2014
Genetics
Metropolitan Community College
Typically, someone or something is special because of the uniqueness it fosters. A liver cell is special because its function is to preform as a filter or for the use of metabolism. Stem cells are so special because they have unbelievable potential in the world of genetics because they are not specifically special. According to Suzanne Holland, Karen Lebacqz and Laurie Zoloth in The Human Embryonic Stem Cell Debate (2001), “human embryonic stem cells can divide indefinatley and have the potential to develop into many different types of tissues”. (Holland et al, Pg. 1). These unique cells can renew themselves by the process …show more content…
Embryonic stem cells are stem cells that have derived from embryos. It is important to realize that most of the embryonic stem cells have derived in a clinical setting from a fertilized egg. Scientists typically call this process in vitro fertilization. This means that the egg was fertilized in a patria dish instead of a woman’s body. The woman’s eggs are typically donated by a donor whom receives cash advances for her eggs. When scientists start to grow cells in a laboratory it is called cell culture. The process of how embryonic stem cells are a very important factor of stem cell …show more content…
This means that the embryo hasn’t caught onto the wall of a woman’s uterus. After the cell has been captured it is placed into a dish and given nutrients broth in order to grow. This culture broth is known as culture medium (NIH, 2013). The cells are now able to grow and spread all over. When the cell grows it is sprouting of embryonic cells or “giving rise” to the embryonic cells. When the plate of cells is getting full scientists have to re-plate them. This process of transporting the cells to other places is known as sub culturing. When the cells are moved they are typically cleaned and cut off. They require proliferation at this time. At this point in time scientists understand how stable a cell is due to its age and survival rate. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2013), “Embryonic stem cells that have proliferated in cell culture for a prolonged period of time without differentiating, and are pluripotent are referred to as an embryonic stem cell line”. (NIH, 2013). This is important to know because we can understand the importance of an embryonic stem cell line. They repeat this cycle weeks and sometimes months. Scientists are able to create many plates of embryonic cells, freeze them and ship off to other labs for more