STEM CELLS :
A special type of "source" or "starter" cell that has the ability to grow into adult tissue. Stem cells are the foundation for every organ, tissue and cell in the human body. Stem cells may be able to repair or replace damaged tissue, thereby reversing diseases and injuries such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and blood diseases, to name a few.
TYPES OF STEM CELLS:
There are two types of stem cells — unlimited stem cells (also known as embryonic stem cells) and limited stem cells (also known as adult stem cells).
Unlimited stem cells are currently obtained with patients' permission from leftover three-day old embryos that would otherwise be discarded from fertility clinics. These embryos are created and exist entirely outside the body. Unlimited stem cells can develop into any kind of cell type or tissue in the body.
Limited stem cells are rare cells that can be found in only some developed organs or tissues. Limited stem cells have been successfully used for some time now in bone marrow transplants (either with bone marrow stem cells or umbilical cord blood stem cells) and skin and hair transplants. There is also another potential way to get embryonic stem cells using an unfertilized egg and an adult cell from the patient. However, this is still being studied
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