Stem Cells

Stem Cells are being researched to see if they can be used to cure diseases.  There are two types of stem cells: Adult Stem Cells and Embryonic Stem Cells.  Adult stem cells are found throughout the adult human body and in the umbilical cord, while embryonic stem cells come from embryos that are less than 2 weeks into development.  

There are many advantages in both adult and embryonic stem cells some of them being:

Adult Stem Cell Advantages:

- don't cause the immune system to reject them

- there is no harm done to the donor

- they don't tend to cause tumors

Embryonic Stem Cells Advantages:

- they are very flexible

- are taken from embryos in vitro fertilization clinics

- they can provide endless supplies of cells that have defined characteristics

However, in science, with great advantages come disadvantages that question whether the research is to be done or not.  some of those disadvantages are:

Adult Stem Cell Disadvantages:

- there is only a limited quantity

- they are less flexible

Embryonic Stem Cell Disadvantages:

- because the cells are taken when they are less than 2 weeks into development, it destroys the embryo

- these cells can form or promote the formation of tumors

- these cells from a random donor are likely to reject the receiver after the transplant