In what ways did Dr. Till's discovery contribute to Canadian identity?
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Stem cells can replace damaged cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can differentiate into specialized cells and can divide to produce more stem cells. Uptill now, donated organs and tissues were substituted for damaged ones. The issue with utilising donated organs and tissues is, the number of people awaiting a transplant is much higher than the number of available organs. Dr. Till's discovery of the stem cell can resolve this issue, because stem cells have the ability to divide, and produce more cells. Therefore, if a patient has a severe burn, and stem cells are injected, the cells will then divide, and differentiate to replace the cells damaged by the burn.
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Stem cells could be used to test the effectivity of a drug
New drugs can be tested on stem cells before being tested on animal and human models. For example, the effectivity of an anti-tumour drug could be tested by stem cells because, a tumour continues to produce cancer cells and stem cells also divide and produce more stem cells, meaning that they both are similar. Therefore, if the anti- tumour drug is mixed with a sample of stem cells, and after a period of time, no more stem cells are produced, then the drug is effective; If the stem cell production has stopped, then the production of more cancer cells will also stop, meaning the drug is effective. Therefore, stem cells could easily be used to test the effectivity of a drug.
Dr. James Till
Indeed, Dr. Till made a very relevant discovery. Stem cells have a great deal of poetential; Stem cells can replace damged cells, easily curing numerous skin diseases. Stem cells are also being used to test the effectivity of drugs, rather than animal or human models. Congratulations Dr. Till!