What Are Stem Cells?

Stem cells — “Cells with the ability to divide for indefinite periods in culture and to give rise to specialized cells”. OK, that’s what it says in the glossary, but what does it mean? What are they and what makes them so important?

Stem cells are pretty remarkable actually, they have this unique potential to develop into lots of other different types of cells in the body, during either growth or early life. They’re also a great at repairing damage inside our own bodies, as they continue to limitlessly divide and repair tissues for as long as the body is alive. Every time a stem cell divides, the new cell can either be another stem cell or some different type of specialized cell with a specific function – brain cell, muscle cell or red blood cell for example. Stem cells really are the “grow your own” department of each body.

Types of Stem Cells

Stem cells can really be separated into two different types:

Embryonic Stem Cells – these are obtained from a 3 to 5 day old embryo (called the blastocyst stage of development)and these cells are really important because they are the ones which hold the basis of growing the entire body – the heart, skin, lungs, eggs, sperm as well as all of the other tissues. Taking these stem cells does however, destroy the embryo which makes it a pretty controversial subject all round.

Adult Stem Cells – are found in the majority of tissues in every human being and can be removed without harming the donor. These also have the capabilities of transforming into many other cell types or go back to being stem cells, and have been successfully used to help many different medical conditions.