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

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

4.  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

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

6.  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.

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

8.  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.

9.  Cure and prevent diseases and cell mutations  Save Lives

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

20.  They could save your life one day!!!