Resumen

PORRAS, Oscar. Ingeniería de la célula madre. Acta méd. costarric [online]. 2005, vol.47, n.2, pp.69-75. ISSN 0001-6002.

Stem cell engineering is a technology applicable to the solution of health problems of human beings, regarding particularly tissue reconstruction and the reestablishment of normal cell function in metabolic, hematological, immunological and degenerative disorders. Research of stem cell biology has led to the recognition of its own identity and to establish a group of cells of different origin that share characteristics of self renovation and plasticity. This group encompasses embryonal, mesenchymal, hematopoietical, umbilical and other cells that reside in tissues such as neuronal stem cells. Investigation of embryonal stem cells and the procedures of reproductive clonation and nuclear transplant have triggered an ethic debate, of political and religious aspects. We can only voice our opinion if we know the basic principIes of the biology and engineering of stem cells

Palabras clave : Célula madre; "Stem cell"; hematopoyesis; trasplante de células hematopoyéticas; sangre de cordón umbilical; clonación; transferencia de núcleos; clonación terapéutica; clonación reproductiva; plasticidad.