What are stem cells

Stem cells are cells that can be turned into any type of body cell and have the ability to regenerate themselves, even after being inactive for periods of time.  Basically, this means that stem cells can replace or repair various cells throughout the body, including organ cells, tissue cells, blood cells, etc.,.  

Cord blood stem cells can also be referred to as "adult stem cells" or "somatic stem cells".  The term “somatic” meaning cells from within the body.  Adult or somatic stem cells are undifferentiated stem cells that can be found in many different organs and tissues throughout the body.  Their main purpose is to restore and preserve the organs and tissues in which they derive. 

Not all diseases and disorders are treatable with cord blood stem cells because of there are partially specialized to where they derive from, your blood.  This explains why most diseases and disorders currently treated with cord blood stem cells are blood related.  Stem cells found in bone marrow are very similar as well, making cord blood stem cells an alternative treatment to bone marrow transplants. 

On the other hand, scientist have found that cord blood stem cells are multipotent, meaning that they have the ability to become specialized to tissues and organs beyond the ones in which they derive.  Knowing this, scientist and physicians continue to expand and explore many different potential treatments for other diseases and disorders.

Cord Blood Stem Cells  vs.  Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem cells are stem cells that derive from embryos and are completely unspecialized, meaning they can be used to repair or replace any type of tissue or organ in the body.  The stem cells that scientist use for research and studies are not from women who are pregnant, but mostly come from donations of women attempting to become pregnant through in-vitro fertilization.     

The collection and use of embryonic stem cells are still considered highly controversial.  Embryonic stem cells are how scientists are able to clone animals as well as humans.  Obviously, this is an issue that deals with various aspects of ethics as well as religion.  Even though they are more versatile than cord blood stem cells, they remain a touchy subject among professionals and government leaders.

Cord blood stem cells are not typically considered controversial since the collection and use doesn’t threaten the donor nor are they being used in cloning or other controversial scientific experiments.  This is why cord blood banking has become an excepted practice not only in this nation but around the world as well.