 Umbilical Cord Blood  Embryos  Adult bone marrow, liver, brain, and the skin

 Where they come from: › Embryos  Costly to the Government

 Most people are against getting stem cells from embryos.  They don’t realize that millions of embryos are thrown away from fertility clinics  They serve no purpose then

 At first they have no particular identity (blank slate; function is undecided)  Can transform into any of the 220 cells

 They can divide and copy themselves  Renew themselves through cell division.  Scientists can keep a stock of them instead of acquiring them in other ways.

 Any of the 220 cells including: › Tissues › Organ specific cells › Blood cells › Brain cells

 With the proper care and coaxing they can transform stem cells into any of the cells  Difficulty they face: learning how to harness their power and manipulate them into certain cells.

 Cure and prevent diseases and cell mutations  Save Lives

 Parkinson’s Disease  Diabetes  Heart Disease  Alzheimer’s Disease  Genetic Diseases  Cancer

 They may also cure spinal cord injuries and may allow people to be able to walk again.

 Stem cells make it possible to give blood, because they replace the blood cells that were lost.

 Adult stem cells have been used successfully in bone marrow transplants to treat leukemia.

 It has been predicted that scientist using stem cells may be able to grow human tissues in a laboratory setting.

 Example: Using stem cells the liver could be coaxed into producing insulin, which is usually created by the pancreas.

 Not illegal  Since 1973, they put restrictions on research  Cut back on funding

 Need more money for research  Stem cells have the potential to produce tumors  Occasional unpredictable differentiation  Possibility of transplant rejection

 Always a possibility  Affects immune system › It could launch and attack on the body

 Stem cells have their advantages and disadvantages  More good than bad  Do great things

 They could save your life one day!!!