Human stem cells

Human stem cells

A stem cell is an undifferentiated cell capable of replication and differentiation into other types of cell.
In human embryos, embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any type of specialised human cell (totipotent). Once it has differentiated, it cannot change back or switch cell type.
In adult bone marrow, adult stem cells can form many specific cell types, such as blood stem cells producing blood cells (multipotent).
Human stem cells can be used in therapeutic cloning to help conditions such as diabetes and paralysis.
- An embryo is produced with the same genes as the patient.
- Stem cells from the embryo are not rejected by the patient’s body.
- Potential risks include transfer of viral infection and some people have ethical or religious objections.

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