Stem cells

Stem Cells

Undifferentiated cells with the ability to differentiate into various cell types.

Self-renewal

The ability of stem cells to divide and make identical copies of themselves.

Pluripotent

Stem cells that can differentiate into any type of cell in the body.

Multipotent

Stem cells that can differentiate into multiple types of cells, but not all.

Therapeutic Cloning

Creating stem cells with the same genetic material as the patient to avoid rejection.

Embryonic Stem Cells

Stem cells derived from early human embryos that can become any type of cell because of their pluripotency.

Blastocyst stage

A stage in embryonic development where the embryo is a hollow ball of about 100 cells.

Graft rejection

The body's immune response that rejects transplanted cells or tissues.

Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF)

A protein that promotes cell proliferation and plays important roles in the development and function of organs, tissue homeostasis, and wound healing.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)

Adult cells that are reprogrammed to function like embryonic stem cells.

Ethical Concerns

Moral issues surrounding the use and extraction of stem cells from embryos.

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

A reproductive technology that creates embryos outside the body.

Type 1 Diabetes

A condition where the body cannot produce enough insulin, treatable by stem cells.

Paraplegia

A condition caused by injury or disease that results in the loss of movement in the lower body. a characteristic in parkinson’s disease.

Potential Human Lives

The moral consideration that embryos should be treated with inherent dignity and worth.