Stem cells are unspecialised cells, meaning they can develop into any type of cell. We, as humans, start off as stem cells when fertilization has occurred and a zygote is formed. These stem cells are called embryonic stem cells and they can turn into any type of cell, which leads to our growth. As adults we also have stem cells, which are called adult stem cells. Although these cells are unspecialised they can only develop into a specific type of cell.
Pros of Designer Babies Genetic screening can reduce the baby's chances of being born with several serious diseases like Down Syndrome, Famial hypercholesterolemia, rare blood disorders such as Diamond Blackfan Anaemia, etc. Adam Nash was the world's first known designer baby born by the revolutionary pre-implantation process in the year 2000. Scientists genetically selected his embryo so that he would possess the right cells to save his dying sister's life. His sister suffered from Fanconi's anaemia (blood disorder), and mostly the chances of Adam getting that disorder was also very high. An embryo was chosen, which did not have Fanconi's anaemia.
Even with that drop in the death rate, SIDS is still responsible for about 3,000 deaths per year (“Sudden Infant Death” 1621). There is a theory that SIDS is caused by rapid development. This theory that SIDS is a developmental thing argues that because a baby's brain is growing so quickly during its first six months of life, there is a chance that it may send an abnormal or wrong message to a critical organ system. Another theory is simply that these infants are just not healthy to begin with. This idea says that the baby's time in the womb before it was born may have placed it more at risk.
Unit 6 Seminar Assignment FAITH N. HUNTER College Composition II CM220-38 Prof: Julie O'Connor-Colvin June 18, 2015 Unit 6 Seminar We went over the Unit 6 course expectations. Focusing on what to do this week. We talked about APA format and citation. We will talk about plagiarism. Unit 6 work that is due is the quiz, seminar & assignment.
An ectopic pregnancy is a potential medical emergency, and, if not treated properly, can lead to death. * Incidence: about 1 to 200 pregnancies in whites; about 1 of 120 pregnancies on nonwhites. * Complications: rupture of fallopian tube, hemorrhage, shock, peritonitis, infertility, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and death. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY * Transport of a blastocyst to the uterus is delayed. * The blastocyst implants at another available vascularized site, usually the fallopian tube lining.
Testosterone, which must be produced at a critical stage of embryonic development in order for an XY combination to result in a baby with male anatomy. Embryos cannot be distinguished anatomically as either male or female for the first few weeks of development. The Mullerian duct inhibiting substance which is a chemical secreted by the testicles during embryonic development that causes the Mullerian ducts to shrink and disappear. Sexual Differentiation of the brain: In the 1970’s, it was discovered that parts of an area of the brain called the hypothalamus. Experiments with rats demonstrated that administration of testosterone to females shortly after birth masculinized the brain.
Joining other profoundly bioethical films such as Gattaca (1997; addresses genetic engineering of super humans), Million Dollar Baby (2004; tackles assisted dying), and The Island (2005; deals with the creation of human clones to be spare parts for the wealthy sick), My Sister’s Keeper takes on a real-life issue commonly known as “savior sibling.” A “savior sibling” refers to the creation of a genetically matched human being, in order to be the savior of a sick child in need of a donor. This requires creating human embryos in vitro, or literally “in glass” (i.e. a test tube), fertilizing the egg from the mother with the father’s sperm. Then, using pre-implantation technology, the embryos are tested, and the one deemed genetically compatible is implanted into the mother’s womb in order for the embryo to grow and develop. Once that baby is delivered, the cord blood is often collected because it provides a perfect match for the sick sibling.
It is estimated that upto 85% of embryo’s transferred through assisted reproductive technique could not be implanted into endometrial cavity successfully9. For the embryo to implant effectively it needs good trophoblastic invasion as well as an increased blood supply 10-11. Failure to conceive after atleast two cycles of embryo transfer is defined as recurrent implantation failure (RIF)12.Wide range of physiological factors are responsible for recurrent implantation failure such as hormonal imbalance, poor endometrial receptivity, defects in foetal growth, abnormal changes in the expression of adhesion molecules, immunological factors and genetic abnormalities. The etiology of recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) largely overlaps where the results of the studies of RSA can also be extended to RIF
Parents can ask to change the gene coding of an embryo thus changing the embryos eye color, hair color, skin color or gender. A team of scientist in China created cloned embryos with genetic modifications so they could correct the DNA to show that they could prevent the disease in early stages of an embryo's development. Genetic modification of embryos is said to cure numerous diseases by editing the genes, for example for genetic blindness they want to inactivate a variant gene in the retinal cell to stop progressive blindness. They have also said that they can cure sickle-cell anemia which affects 100,000 Americans causing life long pain by editing their blood stem cells. Genetically modified food is food that has been chemically changed provide more nutrients, have an overall better appearance and have a longer shelf life.
Stem cells can be retrieved in from a number of sources including bone marrow, umbilical cords, and even blood. The problem surrounds the harvesting of embryonic stem cells which requires a human embryo. The way embryonic stem cells are made is that through invitro-fertilization. The embryos are NOT recovered from women's bodies contrary to popular belief. They are in fact made in petri dishes with sperm and eggs that have been donated to research.