Outlook for Stem Cells
- Stem
cells have come a long way, but before they can be incorporated in clinical
settings, several obstacles must be overcome.
- It
is important to be able to direct the differentiation of pure cell populations
in large quantities.
- Safety
concerns must be met. The embryonic stem cells should not cause teratomas
or teratocarcinomas when transplanted in vivo nor should they be immunologically
rejected.
- Therapeutic
cloning seems a viable solution to immunologic compatibility, but further
studies are necessary to verify this.
- In
order to have embryonic stem cells available for research or clinical purposes,
moral and bioethical aspects should be take into consideration.
Mugur Roz