In the year 1997, just 24 years ago, the general public had no idea what stem cells were. Scientists themselves were on the brink of understanding more about stem cells at this time, but it still was hardly a development.
Stem cells: What they are and what they do
1. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the ability to develop into various types of specialized cells, such as muscle, nerve, or blood cells.
2. There are two main types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells, which are derived from embryos, and adult stem cells, which are found in tissues such as bone marrow, brain, and skin.
3. Stem cells have the potential to be used in regenerative medicine to treat a variety of diseases and injuries, including heart disease, diabetes, and spinal cord injuries.
4. Stem cell research is a rapidly evolving field, with new discoveries and advancements being made all the time.
5. There are ethical and legal considerations surrounding the use of stem cells, particularly embryonic stem cells, which have led to debates and controversies in many countries.