Adult stem cells

• what is an adult stem cell?

  an unspecialised cell that can specialise to become other cell types (but not all)
• adult stem cells -> the only stem cells you have once you're born
• advantages of adult stem cells?

  harvested from your own bone marrow -> no donor needed -> readily available

  no need to wait for donor/tissue typing -> no rejection BUT invasive procedure
• disadvantages of an adult stem cell?

  invasive procedure

  can only specialise to become a limited no cells
• ethical issues of adult stem cells?

  none