Stem Cells

• What are stem cells?

  Undifferentiated cells that can differentiate into any other type of cell
• What are the sources of stem cells?

  1. Embryonic tissue
  2. Adult stem cells that occur in some tissue
• Why is it better to use your own stem cells?

  • No rejection
  • No need to find a donor
  • No need for tissue typing
  • Avoids the use of embryonic stem cells which raises particular ethical issues