Embryonic stem cells are embryos that are developed from eggs that have been fertilized in a laboratory excess of which is then donated for research purposes with an informed permission of the donors. These embryos are eggs that are not fertilized inside a woman’s womb. The embryonic stem cells are from human embryos which are masses that develop in all types of tissues in the body. These cells are acquired from the excess embryo used in infertility treatments through vitro fertilization.
As a result of this process excess human embryos are created and therefore these embryos are donated by the people that have undergone this treatment. These donated embryos are then used for research given that it has a proper consent of the donors (The White House, 2001). It takes a week old embryo to produce an embryonic stem cell for research. From this it then produces a stem line from its inner mass. It is then properly cultured in order for the stem cells to develop and divide for an indefinite period.
The stem cell line is a produced from the original embryo and has the same genetic make up. Today many scientists are dedicated to this research because the success of this research would lead to treatment of diseases that badly affect many people world wide. Treatments include replacing dopamine secreting brain cells of Parkinson’s disease, transferring insulin producing beta cells in diabetic or even replacing cardiac muscles in a myocardial infarct where the heart has been damaged (The White House, 2001).
Currently, about 60 existing human embryonic stem cells were developed from excess embryos produced from vitro fertilization in different laborites across the country. The donors of these embryos have full consent in order for researchers to have the right to use these embryos for research. These accessible lines are used in just about one dozen laboratories around the world. Scientist believes that embryonic stem cell research possess a great opportunity of developing different therapeutic treatments for diseases because of its ability to adapt and develop into any tissue in the human body (The White House, 2001).