Stem Cells

Stem cells can be used to convert themselves as tissues for some other parts of the body to replace diseased or damaged tissues. Dead brain cells, weak heart muscles, damaged spinal cord cells and insulin producing pancreas cells hold promise of cure in this way. Blastocyst cells multiply and implant into the uterus where stem cells grow into the embryo and outer blastocyst cells grow into placenta. Since one’s own body stem cells are used for the purpose, these are not rejected by the body. Normally umbilical cord stem cells are destined to become blood but they can be “reprogrammed”. These are easily obtainable as they are the by-product of every birth and are usually just thrown away. Stem cells are hailed as stems of regenerative medicine and are able to produce a variety of adult tissues without decreasing their original number. They are showing promising results in treatment of various kinds of cancers. Mothers can store stem cells from the umbilical cord blood in a blood bank – to be used later when required.