Stem
cells and derived products offer great promise for new medical treatments. Learn about
stem cell types, current and possible uses, ethical issues, and the state of research and practice. Stem
cells are the body's raw materials —
cells from which all other
cells with specialized functions are generated. Under the right conditions in the body or a laboratory,
stem cells divide to form more
cells called daughter cells. These daughter
cells either become new
stem cells (self-renewal) or become specialized
cells (differentiation) with a more specific function, such as blood cells,
brain cells, heart muscle
cells or bone cells. No other cell in the body has the natural ability to generate new cell types. People who might benefit from
stem cell therapies include those with
spinal cord injuries, type 1 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, stroke, burns,
cancer and osteoarthritis. Stem
cells may have the potential to be grown to become new tissue for use in transplant and regenerative medicine. Researchers continue to advance the knowledge on
stem cells and their applications in transplant and regenerative medicine.
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