The need to create a stem cell bank to treat incurable diseases

Jurisprudential Review Conference on the Use of Stem Cells

Amirreza Broumand stated: More than 70% of the budget of the Ministry of Health and Medicine is allocated to treatment. However, the approaches we institutionalize fall under the prevention sector.

First and foremost, this approach should be established at the macro level of society as a national duty. Each individual should contribute a portion of their blood and bone marrow to the health institution, so that it can be used for disease treatment.

Prevention Before Treatment

Pointing out that one of the most expensive ministries is medical treatment and education, this neurosurgeon continued: Over 70% of the Ministry of Health and Medicine’s budget is dedicated to treatment, whereas the institutionalized approaches are placed within the prevention sector. Nonetheless, this approach must be implemented at a national level, ensuring that each person provides a part of their blood and bone marrow for future treatments.

Referring to spinal cord lesion diseases, Broumand explained: Since medical science remains unable to solve spinal cord lesion diseases, researchers have turned to stem cell transplantation. Essentially, when we extract blood from one person and use it for another, we are, in fact, conducting a cell transplant. In this regard, governance must define and develop a process similar to blood banking. Under ideal conditions, the government should conduct the necessary blood tests and store them, so that in emergency situations, patient treatment can proceed seamlessly when no alternative therapy exists.

He further emphasized: To reduce challenges in this discussion, attention must be given at a macro level. In medicine, some materials remaining from the mother—such as the placenta and umbilical cord—raise ownership questions. However, since these materials serve no individual purpose and are often discarded, the government has the duty to extract them for medical treatment.

Stem Cells

Regarding stem cells, this neurosurgeon explained: Essentially, stem cells possess the unique ability to divide and generate identical replacement cells. Additionally, they provide us with cells capable of transforming into various types of human cells, which in turn support different organs. For example, a cell that transforms into a heart cell migrates to its respective location and functions accordingly.

Broumand further elaborated: The egg cell undergoes division, increasing in number until it reaches the embryonic stage. As the embryo grows and matures, it retains an abundance of stem cells. Our primary challenge revolves around whether we should extract stem cells from a fetus at birth. At the research level, embryonic stem cells demonstrate exceptional reproductive capabilities. However, as we advance toward adulthood, stem cell functions become more specialized.

He asserted: Given that the umbilical cord and placenta are available, obtaining stem cells without violating medical ethics is feasible. At this stage, the real challenge begins with establishing a stem cell bank. As medical advancements continue, the future relies on extracting stem cells from one person to be used in another—a process that must be addressed at the macro level.

Stem Cells in Adult Humans

This neurologist highlighted that stem cells can be obtained from various sources in adults, including the umbilical cord, fat tissue, peripheral blood, and bone marrow. These sources provide specialized cells for medical applications. Additionally, different tissues serve as stem cell sources. Induced stem cells represent another challenge in jurisprudence. Essentially, we manipulate the natural process of creation, prompting cells to revert genetically before redirecting their course. This process involves activating and deactivating specific genes.

Stem Cell Banks: Public and Private

He continued: Stem cell banks are categorized into two types: public and private. In public banks, donated cord blood is made freely available to anyone in need. Conversely, in private banks, families personally pay to store stem cells for their own future use, despite the fact that the likelihood of needing one’s own cord blood remains relatively low.

Embryonic Stem Cell Banks

Regarding embryonic stem cell banks, Tawakkul Afshari explained: In these banks, stem cells are collected and preserved from developing embryos, typically from surplus embryos obtained through artificial insemination or embryo destruction. Importantly, these cells possess the ability to differentiate into nearly any type of cell in the body.

Due to this versatility, embryonic stem cells hold significant promise in regenerative medicine, particularly in treatments for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, and diabetes.

Adult Stem Cell Banks

Speaking about adult stem cell banks, she stated: These banks store stem cells extracted from adult tissues, including bone marrow, fat tissue, skin, and peripheral blood.

Typically, these samples contain two key types of stem cells:

• Hematopoietic stem cells (from bone marrow or peripheral blood), which contribute to blood cell renewal.
• Mesenchymal stem cells (from adipose tissue or bone marrow), which have the potential to regenerate tissues such as cartilage, bone, and muscle.

As a result, these stem cells are utilized for treating conditions such as leukemia, arthritis, and other degenerative diseases. Furthermore, they play an important role in regenerative medicine and tissue repair. While specimens are stored in both public and private banks, private banks are primarily used for personal or family preservation.

Baby Tooth Stem Cell Banks

The professor of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences addressed baby tooth stem cell banks, stating that children’s baby teeth serve as a valuable source of stem cells. Specifically, the stem cells found in the pulp of baby teeth can differentiate into various types of body cells. For this reason, some stem cell banks store these cells for potential future use in disease treatment or tissue repair.

He further elaborated: Since milk teeth fall out naturally during childhood, obtaining these stem cells is significantly easier compared to other sources. Notably, most stem cells from milk teeth belong to the mesenchymal category, meaning they can differentiate into different types of cells, including bone, cartilage, and fat cells.

Due to these properties, they offer therapeutic potential for conditions such as bone diseases, joint disorders, spinal cord injuries, and heart conditions. Additionally, they are widely used as research tools in genetic testing and the development of new treatments.

Induced Stem Cell Banks

Finally, Tawakkul Afshari commented on induced stem cell banks, stating: These banks store induced stem cells, which are derived from mature cells such as skin or blood cells. Currently, these cells are under extensive investigation for their potential applications in regenerative treatments and tissue reconstruction.

Source: ایکنا خراسان رضوی