• Question: What do you think is better, Embryonic stem cells or Adult stem cells?

    Asked by tabbyboo to Emma, James, Jayne, Kara, Sharon on 25 Mar 2011 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Sharon Sneddon

      Sharon Sneddon answered on 14 Mar 2011:

      Well I think both types are very important, but I think that embryonic are better, just because they have the potential to form any of the cell types in the body. It’s pretty amazing! And if scientists like us can work out how to make the embryonic stem cells turn into all these different cell types safely, then transplantation of new cells and tissues to replace damaged or diseased ones will be an amazing treatment in the future.

    • Photo: Emma King

      Emma King answered on 19 Mar 2011:

      Hi tabbyboo – they are both good for different reasons. Embryonic stem cells haven’t gone so far down the route to making particular tissues – so it makes them easier to change into different tissues in the laboratory. Adult cells are mostly already some way down this pathway, so they are harder to turn into very different tissues – but they are also great for growing large amounts of particular tissues, for example in use in skin grafts.

    • Photo: Jayne Charnock

      Jayne Charnock answered on 22 Mar 2011:

      Weeelll, embryonic stem cells can do alot more (ie become more things) but adult stem cells are potentially easier to get at and have fewer ethical issues surrounding their use. I personally work on types of adult stem cells, just because im interested in their role in the body normally and what happens if they are dysfunctional.
      But embryonic stem cells can help teach us alot about human development and genetic diseases….

      They both have pros and cons thats for sure!

    • Photo: James Chan

      James Chan answered on 25 Mar 2011:

      Hi Tabbyboo,
      Embryonic stem cells are more versatile than adult ones in that they are able to differentiate into many more different types of specialised cells.
      This however, doesn’t necessarily mean they are better. Each may be better for different purposes.
      Embryonic stem cells, because they are more versatile, may present a bigger risk of turning into cancer cells, but at the same time, they can regenerate cells that adult stem cells cannot. Also, adult stem cells avoid all the ethical issues that surround embryonic stem cells.

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