Articles
Stem cells: What they are and what they do
What is stem cell therapy (regenerative medicine), and how does it work?
Content
What are stem cells?
Why is there such an interest in stem cells?
Where do stem cells come from?
Why is there a controversy about using embryonic stem cells?
Where do these embryos come from?
Why can't researchers use adult stem cells instead?
What are stem cell lines and why do researchers want to use them?
What is stem cell therapy (regenerative medicine) and how does it work?
Have stem cells already been used to treat diseases?
What are the potential problems with using embryonic stem cells in humans?
What is therapeutic cloning, and what benefits might it offer?
Has therapeutic cloning in people been successful?
Why can't researchers use adult stem cells instead?
Although research into adult stem cells is promising, adult stem cells may not be as versatile and durable as are embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells may not be able to be manipulated to produce all cell types, which limits how adult stem cells can be used to treat diseases.
Adult stem cells also are more likely to contain abnormalities due to environmental hazards, such as toxins, or from errors acquired by the cells during replication. However, researchers have found that adult stem cells are more adaptable than was first thought.
