What is stem cell research,can it cure cancer or other bad diseases?

so if i can why do we use it

What is stem cell research,can it cure cancer or other bad diseases?
Stem cell transplants (in lieu of bone marrow transplants) are used all the time (in the US, and Federally funded) to treat leukemias, lymphomas, and other auto immune disorders.





The cells either come from the peripheal blood stream of an adult, or the cord blood and placenta of a HEALTHY baby AFTER a HEALTHY birth. Baby nor mother are harmed in any way.





While they may be using embryonic for this transplant in research (I dont know), they are NOT using embryonic in actual transplants on humans.





While I dont know that anyone can actually officially say it is a cure, it shows promise that it could be.





I know several patients who have lived years in remission after transplant. I just went through transplant this summer. I am currently in remission, and it may be my only chance at long term remission, or 'cure'.





www.marrow.org has a lot of information about this type of transplant, the stems cells, and what diseases it can be used with. This is the National Marrow Donor's Program website.





I dont have links, but if you do a couple of google searches, you will find that embryonic stem cells are proving to be 'unstable'.





They are used for sure in research in the US, but I am not sure they are actually used in treatment. This research and treatment is NOT federally funded, but is legal.





Adult stem cells and babys cord blood and placenta is used in research and treatment every day, and IS federally funded (My transplant was paid for by your tax dollars - I have medicare)





I am not as well schooled on other types and uses, but improvements are being made day by day.
Reply:they take the cells from the cord I believe after birth and they are working everyday to find cures one day they will.
Reply:Stem cells can be used to cure many issues. Think of a stem cell as ultimately being a blank cell, one without the information of potential use of that cell being written into that cells "code" yet. Ultimately meaning, a stem cell can be used to create or heal organs by the devision and thus replication of the stem cells.


More complex information can be found on them here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cell
Reply:i agree with devon. not only do stem cells come from umbilical cords, but also from aborted fetus'. since its comes from fetus', thats why theres so much controversy on whether its morally correct or not.