It took me quite a while to memorise the diagrams, but now I can identify the parts of a male and female reproduction system , and recite the menstrual cycle. I was interested to find out more about embryonic stem cells, so here:
It refers to extracting the inner cell mass, killing the embryo.
Embryonic stem cells are distinguished by two distinctive properties:
their pluripotency, and
their ability to replicate indefinitely.
ES cells are pluripotent, that is, they are able to differentiate into all derivatives of the three primary germ layers: ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm. These include each of the more than 220 cell types in the adult body. Pluripotency distinguishes embryonic stem cells from adult stem cells found in adults; while embryonic stem cells can generate all cell types in the body, adult stem cells are multipotent and can only produce a limited number of cell types. Human ES cells measure approximately 14μm while mouse ES cells are closer to 8μm .
It refers to extracting the inner cell mass, killing the embryo.
Embryonic stem cells are distinguished by two distinctive properties:
their pluripotency, and
their ability to replicate indefinitely.
ES cells are pluripotent, that is, they are able to differentiate into all derivatives of the three primary germ layers: ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm. These include each of the more than 220 cell types in the adult body. Pluripotency distinguishes embryonic stem cells from adult stem cells found in adults; while embryonic stem cells can generate all cell types in the body, adult stem cells are multipotent and can only produce a limited number of cell types. Human ES cells measure approximately 14μm while mouse ES cells are closer to 8μm .
This means that embryonic stem cells are very versatile. It makes it useful for cancer patients, but the argument is that killing a life for this is wrong.
This is where science and morals clash. Sometimes the most powerful is the most innocent. I do not support embryonic stem cell research. This is because this may lead to scientists thinking that as long as the baby does not feel the pain, it is alright and may lead to even more morally questionable methods being developed. Lab babies are possible, but not without two human parents. Thus the parents have the right to refuse. We have the choice to refuse this. Even if cancer patients are dying we whould not be exchanging another's life for theirs. It goes against human rights. I think humans need to rethink respect for each other.
Reproduction is an interesting subject. How creation is done, a unique being is formed, but at the same time, somewhere in the world, someone ones to take it apart in the name of science.
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