A stem cell is an undifferentiated cell that has the potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. However, stem cells are distinguished from other cell types due to the following reasons: (1) They are unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through infinite cell division, even after long periods of inactivity, (2) They can be induced into becoming a tissue- or organ specific cells with special function, such as muscle cell, red blood cell, or brain cell. Until recently, scientists have only worked with two kinds of stem cells from animals and humans: embryonic stem cells and non-embryonic “somatic” or “adult” stem cells. There are many types of the two. As the name suggests, the embryonic stem cells come from embryos. Contrary to what one may assume, it is not derived from eggs that are fertilized in a female body. It is gotten from eggs in its very early stages that have been fertilized in a vitro fertilization clinic. They are isolated into a plastic laboratory dish that contains nutrient medium and grows there. It is kept at a certain temperature and humidity, and then the cells divide. After several days, the cells are proliferated, and then separated into different culture dishes. Process is repeated several times. Unlike embryonic stem cells, the origin of adult stem cells in some tissues remains unidentified. The somatic or adult stem cells’ primary purpose is to repair or regenerate cells that have been damaged by diseases or injuries. Every cell after the embryonic phase is an adult stem cell. Although it exists in many tissues, its number is small. It has been once believed to be limited and only generated one kind of cell, but later proven otherwise. New researches have found that adult stem cells are able to produce different kind of cells, as well. Like the embryonic stem cell, it grows in culture to establish stem cell lines.
What is Cultured Meat?