Wisdom Teeth Latest Stem Cell Source
A recent discovery by Japanese scientists could reshape the embryonic stem cell debate. The scientists claim that “wisdom teeth could be a suitable alternative to human embryos as a source for therapeutic stem cells.”
Stems cells are important because some studies support their ability to fight numerous life-threatening diseases. In recent years, the proposed usage of embryonic stem cells has caused heated debates between pro-life and pro-choice groups. However, this recent finding could have big implications in the future, and perhaps quiet the embryonic stem cell debate.
Unfortunately, it’ll be at least 5 years before these findings will be used in “medical applications,” according to National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) researchers.
The researchers said that they:
…had identified a form of stem cell in the wisdom teeth which had the capability to develop and be grown successfully into other forms of cell outside the body.
My thoughts
This is a finding with huge implications. If these findings are accurate, then the ethical issues surrounding embryonic stem cells will be a non-issue. Perhaps that’s wishful thinking. But, wisdom teeth as a source of important stem cells should be less controversial. But, who knows, People for the Ethical Treatment of Wisdom Teeth may be up in arms. Let’s hope not for the sake of humanity.
Your Thoughts
Do you think stem cells taken from Wisdom teeth will quiet the embryonic stem cell debate?
Source: Stem cells ‘created from teeth’
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Reader Comments
wisdom August 27th
I heard about this about a year ago, but it seems like in the near future stem cells from wisdom teeth might become a real reality, I hope so.
drdental August 27th
I remember hearing about it a while back, too. I agree with you that it sounds more promising than ever.
Bellevuedentist August 26th
I remember reading about a similar item a few months back in “Women’s eJournal” about the potential use of embryonic stem cells from baby teeth. The article discussed how to preserve the baby teeth when they are lost and indicated a huge potential for use in later life if the person needed the cells. It sounds like teeth of some type may be the answer for a great scientific use and avoidance of the moral problem some people have regarding stem cells.
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