An explanation of stem cells and their potential to treat HD
What kind of research is being conducted?
Stem cells are being investigated in various areas of scientific research. The most notable research areas are described below:
I. Basic Research On the most fundamental level, stem cells are used to study the early events of human development. This research may one day explain the cause of birth defects and help devise new approaches to correct or prevent them. Also, research on the genes and chemicals that control human development may help researchers manipulate stem cells to become specialized for transplantation or genetic engineering.
II. Transplantation Research Stem cells may hold the key to restoring many vital bodily functions by replacing cells lost in various devastating diseases. Many diseases and disorders, such as Huntington’s disease, disrupt specific cellular functions or destroy certain tissues in the body. The goal, therefore, is to coax stem cells to develop into the desired specialized cells, which can then be used as a renewable source of replacement cells or tissues. This process could possibly treat HD and other conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
III. Genetic Engineering Research Stem cells could be used as a vehicle for delivering genes to specific tissues in the body. The goal is to add genes to stem cells that would then coax the stem cell to differentiate into a specific cell type or force the stem cell to produce a desired protein product. Currently, researchers are trying to use specialized cells derived from stem cells to target specific cancer cells and directly deliver treatments that could destroy them.
IV. Drug Testing and Toxin Screening Currently, animal models are used to test drug safety and efficacy and to screen potential toxins. Animal models, however, cannot always predict the effects that a drug or toxin may have on human cells. Therefore, if human stem cells can be used to generate cells that are important for certain drug or toxin screenings, these cells may offer a safer, more reliable test by mimicking a more realistic human environment.
V. Chromosomal Abnormality Testing Stem cells might also be used to explore the effects of chromosomal abnormalities in early human development. As a result, we might be able to understand and monitor the development of early childhood tumors, many of which are embryonic in origin.
Last Modified: 5-08-03
An educational product of HOPES, not to be used in place of medical care. For more information about HOPES, click on the Logo.
To contact HOPES with comments or questions, click here.
