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The stem cell uncertainty principle

Fagan, Melinda B. (2012) The stem cell uncertainty principle. In: UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

Stem cells are defined by capacities for both self-renewal and differentiation. Many different entities satisfy this working definition. Explicating the stem cell concept reveals it to be relational and relative, requiring contextualization by a cell lineage, organismal source, cell environments, and traits of interest. Not only are stem cell capacities relative to an experimental context; the stem cell concept imposes evidential constraints on the interpretation of experimental results. In consequence, claims about stem cell capacities are inherently uncertain. I discuss the implications of this result for progress in stem cell research and its public understanding.


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Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED)
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Fagan, Melinda B.mbf2@rice.edu
Keywords: Experiment, Models, Stem cells, Technology, Uncertainty
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Biology > Developmental Biology
Specific Sciences > Biology > Molecular Biology/Genetics
General Issues > Experimentation
Depositing User: Melinda Fagan
Date Deposited: 02 Jul 2012 16:23
Last Modified: 02 Jul 2012 16:23
Item ID: 9198
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Biology > Developmental Biology
Specific Sciences > Biology > Molecular Biology/Genetics
General Issues > Experimentation
Date: 1 July 2012
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9198

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