Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Although there is great interest in the potential for using stem cells as cell replacements and other treatments for diseases that currently have no cure, research on the biology of human embryonic stem cells is still in its infancy. In Human Embryonic Stem Cells, pioneers, leaders, and experts in this emerging field join forces to address all the key issues in the use of human pluripotent stem cells for treating degenerative diseases or for replacing tissues lost from trauma. On the practical side, these topics range from the problems of deriving human embryonic stem cells and driving their differentiation along specific lineages, regulating their development into mature cells, and bringing stem cell therapy to clinical trials. The authors cover the criteria used by investigators in different fields to recognize mature phenotypes of specific tissues. Regulatory issues are addressed in discussions of the ethical debate surrounding the derivation of human embryonic stem cells and the current policies governing their use in the United States and abroad, including the rules and conditions regulating federal funding and questions of intellectual property. Reviewing the most pressing issues involved in human embryonic stem cell research, Human Embryonic Stem Cells, provides an invaluable sourcebook for researchers seeking a review of their basic biology and an unbiased assessment of their potential for new therapies. A Discussion Of All The Key Issues In The Use Of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells For Treating Degenerative Diseases Or For Replacing Tissues Lost From Trauma. On The Practical Side, The Topics Range From The Problems Of Deriving Human Embryonic Stem Cells And Driving Their Differentiation Along Specific Lineages, Regulating Their Development Into Mature Cells, And Bringing Stem Cell Therapy To Clinical Trials. Regulatory Issues Are Addressed In Discussions Of The Ethical Debate Surrounding The Derivation Of Human Embryonic Stem Cells And The Current Policies Governing Their Use In The United States And Abroad, Including The Rules And Conditions Regulating Federal Funding And Questions Of Intellectual Property. Ch. 1. Ethical Issues Associated With Pluripotent Stem Cells -- Ch. 2. A Researcher's Guide To Federally Funded Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research In The United States -- Ch. 3. Intellectual Property Of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells -- Ch. 4. Embryonal Carcinoma Cells: The Malignant Counterparts Of Es And Eg Cells -- Ch. 5. Human Pluripotent Stem Cells From Bone Marrow -- Ch. 6. Protocols For The Isolation And Maintenance Of Human Embryonic Stem Cells -- Ch. 7. Subcloning And Alternative Methods For The Derivation And Culture Of Human Embryonic Stem Cells -- Ch. 8. Diffferentiation Of Neuroepithelia From Human Embryonic Stem Cells -- Ch. 9. Pancreatic Differentiation Of Pluripotent Stem Cells -- Ch. 10. Human Embryonic Stem Cell-derived -- Ch. 11. Vascular Lineage Differentiation From Human Embryonic Stem Cells -- Ch. 12. Hematopoietic Progenitors Derived From Human Embryonic Stem Cells -- Ch. 13. Human Embryonic Vs Adult Stem Cells For Transplantation Therapies -- Ch. 14. Genetic Manipulation Of Human Embryonic Stem Cells -- Ch. 15. Human Therapeutic Cloning -- Ch. 16. Therapeutic Uses Of Embryonic Stem Cells -- Ch. 17. Human Embryonic Stem Cells And The Food And Drug Administration: Assuring The Safety Of Novel Cellular Therapies -- Ch. 18. Studies Of A Human Neuron-like Cell Line In Stroke And Spinal Cord Injury: Preclinical And Clinical Perspectives. Edited By Arlene Y. Chiu And Mahendra S. Rao. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-xviii Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Ethical Issues Associated with Pluripotent Stem Cells....Pages 3-25 A Researcher’s Guide to Federally Funded Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research in the United States....Pages 27-37 Intellectual Property of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells....Pages 39-60 Front Matter....Pages 61-61 Embryonal Carcinoma Cells....Pages 63-87 Human Pluripotent Stem Cells from Bone Marrow....Pages 89-111 Protocols for the Isolation and Maintenance of Human Embryonic Stem Cells....Pages 113-126 Subcloning and Alternative Methods for the Derivation and Culture of Human Embryonic Stem Cells....Pages 127-141 Front Matter....Pages 143-143 Differentiation of Neuroepithelia from Human Embryonic Stem Cells....Pages 145-159 Pancreatic Differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells....Pages 161-179 Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes....Pages 181-199 Vascular Lineage Differentiation from Human Embryonic Stem Cells....Pages 201-217 Hematopoietic Progenitors Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells....Pages 219-236 Front Matter....Pages 237-237 Human Embryonic vs Adult Stem Cells for Transplantation Therapies....Pages 239-264 Genetic Manipulation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells....Pages 265-284 Human Therapeutic Cloning....Pages 285-295 Therapeutic Uses of Embryonic Stem Cells....Pages 297-322 Human Embryonic Stem Cells and the Food and Drug Administration....Pages 323-343 Studies of a Human Neuron-Like Cell Line in Stroke and Spinal Cord Injury....Pages 345-387 Back Matter....Pages 389-461 The announcement in February 1997 by researchers at the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh, Scotland of the successful cloning of a sheep named Dolly from adult mammary cells surprised the scientific community and captured the public's attention, provoking hopeful comments from political leaders, religious figures, and eminent scientists about potential benefits, as well as expressions of fears that it could lead to profound ethical transgressions.