Stem cells have increasingly become the subject of debate. Many groups oppose using… Stem cells have increasingly become the subject of debate. Many groups oppose using embryonic stem cells on moral grounds while supporters espouse its medicinal potential. Some point to adult stem cells as a possible alternative.

Even UPMC has done research into stem cell use.

Spokeswoman Lisa Rossi said that UPMC has done numerous adult stem cell projects in the areas of cardiac repair and muscular cells, just to name a few.

But what is a stem cell?

A stem cell is an unspecialized cell in the body. The cells continuously divide as long as either the cultured specimen or the organism is alive.

These cells may be able to replace lab rats and testing on petri-dished cells as a means of research. They could also help fix genetic disorders and cure diseases such as Parkinson’s and leukemia.

Because adult stem cell research is continually hitting new landmarks, a firm understanding of what exactly these adult stem cells are and how they differ from embryonic ones is essential.

After an embryo forms, it makes the journey toward the uterus for implantation. Along the way, the embryo makes many blastomere cells — unspecialized cells that can only be extracted before the fifth day of development — because they will have a specific role when the embryo begins to grow.

Once in the uterus, only some cells can still be extracted and divided. Embryonic stem cells can undergo what is called differentiation to become any type of cell from the three germ layers: ectoderm (neuron), mesoderm (blood cells) and endoderm (liver).

Adult stem cells can be taken from any person, precluding the controversy of extracting cells from fetuses. Once the signal goes out that a cell is in need of repair or is dying, these stem cells rush in and either replace the dying one or fix the cell.

They have the ability to be cultured and multiplied into any cell or even any organ. One particular adult stem cell case was the cure of singer Don Ho. This Hawaiian-based singer of the 1966 single “Tiny Bubbles” was diagnosed with heart failure.

In 2005, his doctor used Ho’s own blood-derived stem cells and injected them into his heart. According to an interview with the Associated Press, the procedure was a complete success.

Embryonic stem cells come in larger amounts, so they can multiply at an increased rate, and adult stem cells can have higher chance of deformities as the human grows older.

Since adult stem cells are a newer field, there is no certainty that they may differentiate into any of the three germ layers. However, says the National Institute of Health, if cells are taken directly from the patient, cultured and then reintroduced into the patient to cure diabetes, there would be no risk of immunization rejection.

By placing cells derived from embryonic stem cells into an arbitrary patient, there is a risk of rejection.

The field of adult stem cells has produced many notable results within just a few decades. Scientists have very high expectations for the promise of adult stem cells.