Stem cells

The stem cellstem cell
Cells which can divide repeatedly without becoming differentiated and have the capacity to develop into a diverse range of specialised cell types. s of an early embryoembryo
The name for a group of cells that are developing into a fetus. In humans this is from implantation to the 8th week of development. such as a blastocyst have undergone very little differentiationdifferentiation
The genetically-controlled process by which an unspecialised stem cell becomes a cell with specialised structures which carries out a particular function. . The genes which are needed to form the placental tissues and the amniotic membranemembrane
A thin, flexible sheet-like structure that acts as a lining or a boundary in an organism. s have been switched off, but not much else. So they would seem to be the ideal candidates for producing tissues and organs as required for patients with needs ranging from new insulin-producing cells to entire new organs.

Embryoembryo
The name for a group of cells that are developing into a fetus. In humans this is from implantation to the 8th week of development. nic stem cellstem cell
Cells which can divide repeatedly without becoming differentiated and have the capacity to develop into a diverse range of specialised cell types. s (ESCs) can be harvestedharvested
Refers to a useful substance that has been extracted. (which destroys the embryo) and grown in culture in special conditions in the lab to produce large numbers of undifferentiated cells, which can then be used for medical purposes. By changing the conditions, the cells are living in, scientists are able to make the stem cells differentiate to produce specialised cellsspecialised cells
Cells which are adapted to carry out a specific function in the body. with many different functions. This process is usually ‘trial and error’, as no one is completely sure what conditions make cells differentiate into specific cell types. However, with experience scientists are becoming more expert at directing ESCs in the direction they want them to go.

Embryoembryo
The name for a group of cells that are developing into a fetus. In humans this is from implantation to the 8th week of development. nic stem cellstem cell
Cells which can divide repeatedly without becoming differentiated and have the capacity to develop into a diverse range of specialised cell types. s can only be generated from early human embryos, and opinion is divided as to whether work using ESCs is ethically viable. The decision whether to use them in research involves deciding whether the right of a potential future human to life is greater than the need to prevent suffering and cure diseases in existing people.

For this reason, the use of embryonic stem cellsembryonic stem cells
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are undifferentiated, pluripotent cells derived from the inner mass of an early embryo at the blastocyst stage. for research in the UK is strictly controlled. Any organisation holding a human tissue sample, such as a stem cell culturecell culture
Growing cells under controlled conditions, generally outside of their natural environment. , must hold a licence from the Human Tissue Authority (HTA). Human embryonic stem cell research can only be carried out in the UK by scientists holding a licence from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). Licences are only granted to use embryos which have been created from eggs fertilised outside of the body. In most cases, these are embryos created during infertility treatment but ultimately not used, and donated with the full consent of the parents. These licences are only granted for specific reasons including research which will result in increased knowledge about the development of embryos, the causes of miscarriages, more effective contraception or to promote infertility treatments. Other reasons include research into the causes of serious disease, to test possible diagnostic tests for gene or chromosomechromosome
A chromosome is like a packet of coiled up DNA. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes. They are in the nucleus of every human cell.  diseases or to learn more about or develop treatments for serious disease. In all cases a licence is only granted if the HFEA is satisfied the use of embryos and embryonic stem cells is necessary for the research.