Frequently Asked Questions
What are stem cells?
Stem cells are unspecialized cells that are distinguished by two very important characteristics. They can live indefinitely and through the process of cell division can replicate themselves endlessly. More important, they can differentiate. They have the remarkable capacity to mature into any of the 220 tissues and cell types in the human body. From brain cells to liver cells to bones, stem cells are capable of transforming into the myriad specialized cells the body requires for specific functions.
Where do stem cells come from?
The most useful stem cells, those most capable of developing into multiple cell types, are embryonic stem cells, which come from four to five-day-old embryos. Dividing and replicating rapidly, a few of these cells can produce millions of duplicates in a short period of time. These cells, used for research in laboratories, are referred to as embryonic stem cell lines. They are derived from human eggs that were fertilized in vitro in fertilization clinics, but were never implanted - and never will be implanted - in a woman’s uterus. They are donated to laboratories with the consent of the donors. It is estimated that there are upwards of half a million unused embryos, frozen in U. S. fertility clinics.
What is cell therapy?
Cell therapy is an increasingly successful approach to medicine that involves replacing diseased or damaged cells with healthy ones. Stem cells are viewed as having enormous potential in this area.
How soon will cell therapy be able to cure major diseases?
Cell therapy is viewed by the medical community, as nothing less than revolutionary, but reaching the full potential of stem cells will still take some time. Scientists only began exploring the usefulness of these remarkable cells in the late 1990s, when a team at the University of Wisconsin discovered how to isolate them and grow them in the laboratory. Scientists are rapidly making up for lost time, however. Research like that going on at the University of Connecticut is rapidly propelling the science of stem cells forward and every day brings us closer to effective treatments and even cures for diseases like multiple sclerosis, kidney disease and diabetes, which have plagued mankind for centuries.
What is regenerative biology?
Regenerative biology is the emerging and rapidly evolving field of research and medicine that has to do with the regrowth of lost or damaged organs. Because of their capacity to evolve in all of the body’s organ systems, human embryonic stem cells represent great promise for successful treatment in the future.