This book examines all topics essential to stem cell biology, stem cell research and stem cell technology, enabling readers to understand the basic, scientific, ethical, clinical and industrial aspects of stem cells in highly concise and lucid terms. One reason that stem cells are important is the human development from stem cells. As such, an understanding of their unique attributes and control can teach us more about early human development. Diseases such as cancer are thought to result from abnormal cell proliferation and differentiation. This means that an understanding of where things go ‘wrong’ in stem cell division and thus lead to cancer can help us find ways to prevent the dysfunctional changes or treat them effectively using targeted drugs. Stem cell research has the potential to teach us more about how birth defects occur and how they can be prevented or possibly reversed. An understanding of the regulation and chemical triggers of stem cell proliferation and differentiation is key to addressing birth defects. Likely the most important therapeutic value for stem cells is the use of cell therapies. A cell therapy is a treatment that replaces dysfunctional or diseased tissues with stem cells. At present, stem cells are already used in cell therapies for treatment of some types of cancer, but this is only a small step given the number of diseases affecting humans today. Stem cells’ potential to replace damaged cells and tissues is an exciting possibility for those who will require a transplant during their lifetime. Diseases that are expected to be treated with stem cells one day include Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, as well as those diseases affecting the retina and the heart. Clearly, stem cell use is vital and holds great promise for treating and perhaps one day curing many diseases.
