Find an article on one of the following topics
Viruses
Stem Cells
Cloning organisms
Give a short summary of the article and include the url
Find an article on one of the following topics
Viruses
Stem Cells
Cloning organisms
Give a short summary of the article and include the url
This article discusses different view points regarding stem cell research and spirituality. Southern and Eastern Asia show very little opposition to stem cell research, while other countries such as France and Germany have banned the research of cloning human embryos. While it is not outlawed to research in the US, the research is ineligible for federal funding. In the article, Dr. Lee M. Silver describes his research regarding biotechnology policies around the world and spirituality in those regions. His findings suggest there are three predominant forms of religion (traditional Christians, post-Christians, and eastern religions), and these line up with the views for or against using human stem cells for research. While Hindu and Buddhist dominated countries have a general acceptance towards using human embryos for research, Judeo-Christians believe it is ethically wrong to use human embryos in the course of research.
https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/20/science/20tier.html
This article is on the successful cloning of monkeys. A female long-tailed macaques was cloned, and it’s clone has all of the exact same genetic material as the primary monkey. This shows that human cloning is closer than ever before. This finding and success could allow humans to alter genes that would help treat parkinsons, alzheimers, cancer and more. The cloning was done using somatic cell nuclear transfer, which involves removing the nucleus from a donor egg cell and replacing it with one taken out of a cell from another animal.
newscientist.com/article/mg23731623-600-scientists-have-cloned-monkeys-and-it-could-help-treat-cancer/
This article explores infertility treatment within males creating and using a fascinating therapy called spermatogonial stem cell therapy to grow these cells in a laboratory to combat infertility. It has been a struggle in the past to utilize the therapy because it is hard to successfully separate SSC from other cells in the testes in order to retrieve only the SSC to grow in the lab. SSC are profound in cell renewal and allow for the development of sperm cells. Now, they have been able to purify SSC by using single-cell RNA to sequence information. The researchers have narrowed down the idea that inhibition of the AKT pathway will inhibit other sperm precursors in order to effectively identify and culture SSC into a tube. After this is done, the cells are able to be grown in a test tube for two to four weeks in hopes of developing an infertility treatment to allow males the ability to father children after 65 years of age.
I think it is intriguing that we can use technology in order to hopefully combat infertility and allow for families to have more options. I also learned from the article that this technique of AKT inhibition is also key in treating certain cancers. It is possible with further research of SSC that we could also get farther in cancer research and effective treatment towards a cure!
https://health.ucsd.edu/news/releases/Pages/2020-07-13-human-sperm-stem-cells-grown-in-lab-early-step-toward-infertility-treatment.aspx
This article elaborates on the potential of mesenchymal stem cells that originate from the Wharton’s jelly region of the umbilical cord. Since they are not embryonic stem cells these cells can be used without any ethical questions. However, as placenta tissue, many of the benefits of fetal tissue remains. Wharton’s Jelly is a specific connective tissue of the umbilical cord and these cells have shown high differentiation potential and high proliferative capacity unlike adult MSCs. They also are immune privileged making these cells a great fit for regenerative medicine. The article goes into greater detail of aspects of the cell that offer future potential.
I chose this article because I briefly helped in a research lab focusing on stem cell therapy. The cells used in the lab were these particular MSCs derived from Wharton’s Jelly. It was interesting to see the other aspects of why they chose these cells for their research. I also found it interesting to read about the potential these cells hold in regenerative medicine compared to the small-scale studies that took place in the lab. I find this topic very exciting!
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6657936/
The article I choose to examine was “The Arguments against Cloning the Pyrenean Wild Goat” by Ricardo Garcia-Gonzalez and Antoni Margalida. The first thing I did was research was a Pyrenean Wild Goat, which brought up endless articles about the cloning of the Pyrenean Goat. The article explains the idea of de-extinction or using genetic engineering to bring back extinct species. Scientist have been trying to clone the Pyrenean wild goat in a process of de-extinction, though the attempts have failed so far. The article states that there was a failed attempt to clone the goat in 2003, and since then, trials have resumed. The authors then begin to examine the cons of genetic engineering.
First, they explain how the process of cloning is expensive and is taking money away from other conservation efforts and projects. Second, they explain that Spanish scientist have used somatic stem cells and cryopreserved tissues to bring a fetus to term, though it died minutes after birth from lung abnormalities. Additionally, this would cause other health conditions and abnormalities which would affect the organism’s ability to thrive. Next, they explain that this would affect the wildlife that has begun thriving where the Pyrenean goat used to live.
GARCÍA‐GONZÁLEZ, R. and MARGALIDA, A. (2014), The Arguments against Cloning the Pyrenean Wild Goat. Conservation Biology, 28: 1445-1446. doi:10.1111/cobi.12396
The article titles, Human Viruses: Discovery and Emergence, explains how scientists approach studying viruses. The first virus discovered was the yellow fever virus in 1901, and from there scientists were able to gain a better understanding of disease. Viruses are dangerous due to the fact that they can easily enter cells and transmit their DNA, which can completely take over the cell. Gathering information about viruses is important when preventing outbreaks from newly emerging viruses. The researchers from the article came up with the discovery curve, which is a graphing tool that estimates the diversity of newly emerging species of viruses. The number of viruses being discovered climbs up the graph over the years 1900-2005. The discovery curve considers many factors including geographical location, technology availability, what is considered a species, and changing characteristics of viruses. Considering all of these, it can contribute to identifying trends in viral activity and hopefully give researchers ideas of new viruses. The idea and hope of viral research is to help contain infectious diseases. Humans are exposed to many types and species of viruses on a daily basis, so it is imperative that ongoing research continues in order to prevent another outbreak.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3427559/
The article that I chose is titled Viruses and Human Cancer. This article discusses different viruses that are known to have the capacity to cause cancer in humans. It also discusses different cancer treatments, which range from vaccines to prevent infection to radiation and chemotherapy. There is currently research being done for targeted therapies that may be able to distinguish tumor cells from normal cells based on the presence of viral genes. Some targeted therapies already exist, such as ganciclovir for Kaposi sarcoma in AIDS patients. Glanciclovir works by competitively inhibiting viral DNA polymerase, and therefore preventing the tumor cells from replicating. The article states that 15% of all human cancers may be attributed to viruses, so therapies targeted at viral genes seem like they will continue to have a significant impact in cancer research and treatment!
URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1994798/
The article I found on cloning was about a wooly mammoth. scientists found a frozen wooly mammoth in great condition and with fresh blood right next to it.in the past they only found a few specks of dried blood and the tissue was very well preserved from the cold temperatures so, they began taking samples for analysis. the blood cells were broken but still contained hemoglobin and oxygen related molecules. although they haven’t gathered enough DNA or a complete copy of the genome they think they might be able to piece it together with what was found in the tissue.
https://www.livescience.com/48769-woolly-mammoth-cloning.html
As someone who is pro stem cell research, I was looking to learn more about how this process works. This article, “Scientists Have Created a Genetic Roadmap for Embryonic”, by Nick Lunn, discusses that stem cells determine fate in the human body. It is stated in the article that stem cells make choices about what cells they turn into, but how they do so is still a mystery. Stem cell research is highly valuable, but also very controversial. The article did not go into the controversy. Single-cell sequencing is a method used to analyze what the cell is doing to better understand the “roadmap” to development.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2018/05/embryo-stem-cells-genetic-roadmap-development-science-spd/
This article discusses the discovery and further understanding of embryonic stem cells. It further goes into a discussion about the promise of stem cells and how they can aid in the treatments and even cures in certain diseases. It states that while stem cells have a very promising future in aiding the treatment of diseases, the water should be treaded carefully for this may not be the case. We should not put all of our eggs in one basket when it comes to stem cell research, yet we should remain optimistic of their results. This article also dives into talking about the controversy surrounding stem cell research, and there is a lot of it. The positives this article focuses on when it comes to stem cell research includes the ability to improve the lives of those with chronic diseases and illness that otherwise have no cure. The main cons this article focuses on is cost and the access to stem cell treatments. If not everyone has the ability to utilize stem cell treatment, is it fair to offer at all?
Ultimately, there should be moral and ethical principles that surround the use of stem cell research, however it should also be available to people in circumstances in which this type of research is the only hope that they have left. Stem cell research has always had a lot of controversy surrounding it, and it brings up a lot of moral and ethical questions. All views on stem cell research are important and should be taken seriously and the debate on it should continue prior to widespread utilization. Overall this article states that we should take all views of stem cell research into consideration and create policies that address both the pros and cons of increasing the utilization of stem cells in our society.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2941662/
Stem Cell Therapy for Retinal Ganglion Cell Degeneration (2018)
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6108201/?report=classic
This article gives an overview of the many options for stem cell therapy to treat retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration. RGC degeneration can lead to glaucoma and optical neuropathies that ultimately progress into irreversible blindness. The authors state that the most favorable treatment outcome is usually a result of stem cell therapy. Compared to other types of stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells are the most successful in replacing RGCs, but they are also the most thoroughly studied type used in this capacity. When MSCs are transplanted they are able to migrate to the site where repair/regeneration is needed, which is ideal for such small, complex structures as retinas. The article concludes with a call for more research on the specifics of MSC transplantation (how many cells to transplant, which mechanism of transplantation is ideal, is it possible to enhance the regeneration capabilities of the MSCs, etc.)
This article discusses dog cloning. Although it is a rather expensive procedure that involves planning, it is becoming an increasingly common trend throughout the world, especially amongst wealthy dog owners who can afford the $50,000 price tag. Often times these individuals cite not being able to accept the loss of their pet, and wanting a way to keep the memory of their pet alive, even after it passes away. Cloning does keep a piece of the original dog alive in a way, however it is important to realize that the cloned dog is not going to have the same personality or non-inheritable traits as the original one. It is going to be akin to a twin being born at a later date. Owners will be expected to go through all life stages with the dog, as they did the first time around, but there is no guarantee that the same kind of relationship will be formed.
Those who argue against this practice are of the belief that there are millions of dogs who are just as personable but are euthanized in shelters annually due to the lack of a home. They argue that instead of cloning animals for such a steep cost, pet owners should look to neglected dogs that have already been born. Also, there are legitimate questions about the standards of care the dogs involved in the cloning process receive. The industry has very little regulation, and many fear that mistreatment of surrogate mothers as well as other dogs involved in the process is all too common.
https://www.thisdogslife.co/inside-the-controversial-yet-growing-world-of-dog-cloning/
This article talks about treating an eye disease using iPS Cells (Induced pluripotent stem cells). The first clinical trial showed efficacy in treating a form of blindness known as age-related macular degeneration. In order to do this, researchers reprogrammed skin cells from an anonymous donor into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). They then differentiated those stem cells onto a type of retinal cell and then injected it into the eyes of the patients. Only one patient began to reject the iPSC derived retinal cells, but steroid medications were able to overcome the problem. Researchers are using patient’s own cells and donor cells for the therapy. They think this approach could help develop a cheaper, off-the-shelf option. The usage of iPSCs to treat disease was first developed by Japanese scientists. The scientists in Japan and all over the world are exploring ways to treat other conditions like heart disease, endometriosis and spinal cord injury.
https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/donor-derived-ips-cells-show-promise-for-treating-eye-disease-65817
This article discusses the cloning of animals, in specific moneys. The first monkey was cloned in 2000 and while it is illegal in countries like Germany and France, The United States allows for experimental human cloning. The monkeys hold such huge potential because they all inherit exactly the same genetic material. This material can be tweaked by scientists and given the genes the monkeys have which are linked to human disease, then monitor how this change alters the organisms biology. This tech has huge potential to fix Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, Alzheimers disease and many more deadly diseases.
They used a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer where they removed the nucleus from a donor egg cell and replaced it with one taken out of a cell from another organism. This process is simple if you know how to do it and understand the science. What they have figured out from the monkeys could be used on humans and a whole new world of medicine could be opened up.
This article reports on a new finding at the University of Maryland School of Medicine which shows that stem cells are found in a very thin layer of tissue between the retina and the optic nerve called the optic nerve lamina. In this space, stem cells were discovered, and it is thought that these stem cells may be responsible for producing factors which aid in the insulation of the nerve fibers which transmit light received through our eyes to the brain for processing. It is thought that if the growth factors these cells secrete can be identified, it could be a breakthrough in treating diseases which cause blindness such as glaucoma and other vision disorders.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-07-stem-cells-optic-nerve-enable.html
This article, “Stem Cell Transplant for Multiple Myeloma” discusses the process, types, and side effects of stem cell therapy on MM patients. Stem cell transplants (formerly known as bone marrow transplants because the cells were collected from bone marrow) are a very common treatment for MM. In an autologous transplant, the patients stem cells are removed and stored until they can be used as the transplant- so the patient receives their own stem cells after chemo. This is the standard transplant treatment and can put someone in remission but does not cure the cancer. Sometimes tandem transplants are done to increase the remission time, but more side effects are a common issue. The other transplant type is allogeneic transplants. These are done using stem cells from another person, often a sibling or close relative, and are riskier but can produce a better outcome against the cancer by potentially destroying the myeloma. This isn’t standard treatment and is still in clinical trials. Side effects are similar to chemotherapy but more severe and include: low blood counts, infections, bleeding, and graft-versus-host disease (where the donors immune cells attack the patients tissues)