bioethics

Therefore, exploring the possibility of using adult stem cells for cell-based therapies has become a very active area of investigation by researchers. Embryonic stem cells, as their name suggests, are derived from embryos.

Growing cells in the laboratory is known as cell culture. Human embryonic stem cells are isolated by transferring the inner cell mass into a plastic laboratory culture dish that contains a nutrient broth known as culture medium.

stem cells

Another cell type, embryonic germ cells are also pluripotent, but they are derived at a later stage of development. Human embryonic stem cells are derived from the inner cell mass of a four- or five-day-old blastocyst.

However, as mentioned above, human embryonic stem cells have only been studied since 1998. Therefore, in order to develop such treatments scientists are intensively studying the fundamental properties of stem cells, which include: 1) determining precisely how stem cells remain unspecialized and self renewing for many years; and 2) identifying the signals that cause stem cells to become specialized cells. This primer on stem cells is intended for anyone who wishes to learn more about the biological properties of stem cells, the important questions about stem cells that are the focus of scientific research, and the potential use of stem cells in research and in treating disease.