What are stem cells, and how can they be used?
Stem cells are unspecialized cells within the body that have the potential to develop into one or many kinds of cells. Stem cells potentially could treat or cure many diseases and conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, certain heart diseases, stroke, arthritis, certain birth defects, osteoporosis, spinal cord injury and burns. There are essentially two types of human stem cells – embryonic and adult. In order for a stem cell to differentiate into a specialized cell type, such as a cardiac or brain cell, the stem cell must achieve a “pluripotent” state. Pluripotent stem cells can potentially develop into any kind of cell in the body and come from three sources: • fetal tissue from miscarriages and abortions • embryos created for in vitro fertility treatments but not selected for implantation • adult cells that have been reprogrammed to embryonic stem cell-like state The American Heart Association funds meritorious research involving human adult stem ce
