Once an egg cell is fertilized, it will undergo division and become an embryo. As an embryo, stem cells that are able to becoming many types of cells in the human body. Scientist research by getting embryos in two ways. A couple's sperm and eggs are fertilized on a experimental dish where the egg develops into embryos, which after are implanted in the female. The second way in which scientists get embryos is therapeutic cloning. This technique merges a cell with a donor egg. The nucleus taken out from the egg and replaced with the nucleus of the patient's cell. The egg is stimulated with either chemicals or electricity, which then the resulting embryo carries the parents genetic material.
Stem cell research leader in North America, Geron Corporation is a modern day pioneer in the stem cell field. In January 2009, the FDA allowed them to have the first trial using the highly-controversial embryonic stem cells. The experiment included a derived human ES cells transplanted into spinal cord injured subjects. In 2012 there are over 2000 companies involved with stem cell research in North America (Mayoclinic, Scrn.2-3).
Stem cells are trying to unravel how diseases occur in the human body. By observing how stem cells mature into cells in bones, nerves, heart muscle and other organs doctors may better understand how diseases and conditions develop. They are trying to figure out a way to generate new healthy cells to replace dead/diseased cells. Stem cells can be guided into becoming specific cells that can be used to regenerate and repair diseased or damaged tissues in people. Stem cells may have potential to be grown into new tissues for use in transplant and regenerative medicine. Before using new medications are used in people, stem cells could have the ability to check new drugs for safety and effectiveness.
Blood stem cells are currently the stem cells most commonly used for therapy by doctors transferring blood stem cells by bone marrow