In a previous article, “Immortality a Loss Ability in Cell’s Life Cycle”, a through description was made on cells; defining somatic cells as well as germ-line cells. This gives a clear demarcation of cells being immortal and those not being. Therapeutic cloning is still much more advanced than simply defining cells. To go the fundamentals of therapeutic cloning it is essential to understand stem cells.
Overview of Stem Cells
Stem cell is a very intricate topic. To understand stem cell better it might be best to go back to the etymology of trees. Trees have branches such as the stems. These stems on trees have two possible futures. They either create another stem cell or become specialized cells. In organisms such as the human body, there is a variety of stem cells. In this bunch of stem cells, some can transcend to its origin while others turn out quite different.
This was an early analysis, and growing human ‘totipotent’ (single cell divided into various other cells need in an organism) stem cells were at that time considered as only a theoretical possibility. If science was able to re-create fertilized egg cell and then replant them into all cells in the body of the organism, they could become immortal.
When associating stem cells and totipotency to studies by Weismann’s, a German biologist on genetics, famous for the theory of ‘germ plasm’ and association to DNA theory, it could be said that totipotent stem cells would naturally become immortal. This immortality would last as long as the cells do not specialize. Once, cells become specialized (somatic cells) they become liable to the destiny of mortality. However, the stem would theoretically be able to re-create young cells with appropriate “telomere conditions”.
Embryonic Stem Cells
After many years, research reached another level with collaborators from University of Wisconsin at Madison and John Gearhart at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Jamie Thomson and Michael D. West, Ph,D. The human embryonic stem cell was created. The term human embryonic stem cells are given as they are practically derived from pre-implantation of embryos in human. They are microscopic cluster of cells that have not started to develop, they are cells found in the uterus and in a state of readiness for pregnancy.
These cells have a remarkable capacity to specialize into any type of cells. Theoretically, they can be used to replace worn-out tissues for aged people. Yet, for such treatment to become a widespread practice in hospitals lots of efforts are required. It is highly possible that the body will constantly reject injected cells as they are considered as a threat rather than a cure to the immune system.
Therapeutic Cloning
To respond to resistance and incompatibility therapeutic cloning was proposed in 1999. A mechanism named cell nuclear transfer was considered. Eventually, if somatic cells were converted into enucleated egg cells they could both generate embryonic stem cells and replicate clones when placed in the uterus. These cells would be perfectly compatible to the patient, thereby surpassing the setback of rejection. This process was geared to reverse the age of cells in patients.
Over recent years, therapeutic cloning has progressed enormously. As early as in 2000, it was proved that this technique acted as a cellular time machine, at least for several mammalian species. Cells were turned into immortal as aging of cells was reversed. Nonetheless, this process has only the capability to act on single cells and to reach higher levels it must be made possible to proliferate them to enhance its effectiveness. If ever this becomes a practicable phenomenon for human cells such as immune cells, blood vessels could be rejuvenated making them more resistible to diseases.
Theological Paradox
The purpose of therapeutic cloning is highly comprehensive as a means to produce regenerative medicine. Yet, debates on the topic of embryonic stem cells are storming the country with oppositions. Some say that meddling with age and lifespan can bring the wrath of the gods. There are many believers who think the same. It is however, certainly true that as life-span increases, social, medical as well as resources problems will arise.
Death at the stake of Continuity
In the eyes of death, our cells make their last appeal for saving technology yet not available to offer. They remain vulnerable in the abyss of death. Yet, in their sense they might have performed their duty, through reproduction, leaving offspring’s of the same species and genome. The life cycle is pitiless but scientifically effective, the moon and the sun can be metaphorically associated. The moon has a life cycle whereby it is sliced into pieces and the sun too has a similar process as in Osiris (The Sun in Egyptian Mythology). This is so far also a life cycle that stays eternal.
The actual state of technology, represents our valiant ability to go step-by-step closer to immortality. It is highly possible that soon immortality will come to human life through nuclear transfer and or human embryonic stem cells.
Regenerative medicine and techniques are at a pace of advancement hard to cope with. Scientists from around the world are simultaneously tackling different issues of health, lifestyle, longevity and even immortality giving the people an apercu of the future.
References
1. Michael D. West, Ph,D. (2004) The scientific conquest of Death, Imminst.org
2. www.britannica.com, August Weismann
Fri, Dec 25, 2009
Anti Aging Theories, Immortality, Longevity, Stem cells