Stem Cell Research

Abstract

Three reasons are given for the pursuit of human stem cell research: to increase understanding of normal cell development; to screen new drugs in vitro; and to provide tissue for cell‐based regenerative medicine. Not surprisingly, public enthusiasm for human stem cell research centers on the promise of regenerative medicine where there is the prospect of developing transplantation therapies for patients with debilitating or life‐threatening conditions such as Parkinson's disease, diabetes, traumatic spinal cord injury, neurological degeneration, and congenital heart disease.