Cell Therapy A Logical Investigation of the Role of Non-Human Cells in Regenerative Medicine

Caroliz Perez

Date of Award

2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Clore, Amy

Keywords

Cell Therapy, Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells

Area of Concentration

Natural Sciences

Abstract

Cell therapy can be defined as the autologous, allogeneic, or xenogeneic transplantation of cells in order to repair, replace, or enhance damaged cells, tissues, or organs. There has been controversy, however, as to whether cells from a non-human source can have a therapeutic effect in a human recipient following transplantation, and as to whether this can be safely done. In an attempt to investigate this question, I explored the idea through three schools of thought. First, the basic developments of the recent and upcoming field of Human-Focused Stem Cell Research were explored. Second, the alternative medical practice of Traditional Cell Therapy, a practice that has been using non-human cells for clinical transplants for decades, was investigated. Third, the field of xenotransplantation, or cross-species transplants, was explored, with a focus on the recent clinical trials in cellular xenoftmsplantation. Investigated from the perspectives of three separate but complementary fields, the conclusion of this thesis is that non-human to human cellular transplants hold therapeutic promise. However, more research still needs to be done in order to minimize the risks inherent in such transplantation modalities and to develop the most efficient transplantation methods possible.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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