Degenerative ailments, for example Alzheimer's, could be treated. Recovery from traumatic injuries like burns and strokes can occur more quickly with stem cell technology as well. It is not hyperbole to suggest that stem cell research is the most important area of research in medicine today, and from it we are likely to derive a wide range of treatments and therapies that will extend our lives and improve their quality as well. 2. There are two types of stem cells -- adult and embryonic. The latter are derived from embryos, typically ones that come from fertility clinics and with donor consent. These are then cultured in a lab to generate a cell line. Over time, the stem cell line can be duplicated and enlarged to a point where it is ready for use in labs (NIH, 2002).

Adult stem cells come from adults. There are differences between embryonic and adult stem cells in terms of their usage. Adult stem cells are thought to be limited to differentiating...

Thus, adult stem cells from the heart can only grow into heart cells. Embryonic stem cells are believed to be able to grow into any type, so they are not as limited. There are also challenges in culturing adult stem cells, so the technology for that is not as developed as it is for embryonic stem cells (NIH, 2002).
The main advantage for adult stem cells is that they are believed to be less likely to be rejected after transplantation. They could effectively be mixed with the patient's own cells, which would make the stem cells easier for the body to accept. This would also reduce the need for dangerous immunosuppressive drugs, which are currently needed for embryonic stem cell therapy (NIH.gov, 2002).

Works Cited

NIH.gov. (2002). Stem cell basics. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved April 29, 2013 from http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/pages/basics1.aspx