In Vitro Fertilization (7)

Human Embryo (8) 

Muscle Stem Cells (9) 

 Stem Cell Basics                                                             

Many people have heard of the controversies connected with the use of stem cells. However, many people pick sides even though they don't know much on the topic. Stem cells are cells in the body that are without a specific or particular function, but have the capability to be manipulated in such a way as to become other types of bodily cells. For example, a stem cell can be taken and created into a liver cell. With the proper amount of cells and a controlled environment, a liver can be created.

Stem cells are different from other cells in a few different key ways. First, stem cells can renew their cell division activity even after a long period of inactivity. Second, these unspecialized cells can become specialized with specific functions by maintaining the proper physiological and experimental environment. With the proper care and control, the stem cells evolve progress to become muscle cells, or brain cells, or blood cells. (1)

[ Types of Stem Cells ]

In addition to the product of the stem cells, scientists must also think about the source of the stem cells. There are two main sources for stem cells. The first source of stem cells are embryonic stem cells. Scientists created a method to take stem cells from a human embryo and use them for the specific cells they want to create. These cells are taken via in vitro fertilization. In vitro fertilization is the fertilization of an egg by a sperm; however, the fertilization takes place in a lab's petri dish rather than inside a human being. The second source of stem cells comes from adult stem cells. These stem cells, also called somatic stem cells, are found in various organs in the body. However, these stem cells are harder to obtain and there is no guarantee of their quantity or their performance level (1).