الفهرس 
Stem cells basics
StemnessOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Stem cells are cells found in most multi-cellular organisms. The definition of stem cells requires that they possess two properties. The first is self-renewal and the second is potency. Stem cells can be classified into two major categories; embryonic and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent cells, isolated from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst-stage mammalian embryo. Adult stem cells are specialized cells found within many tissues of the body where they function in tissue homeostasis and repair. Medical researchers anticipate using technologies derived from stem cells research to treat wider variety of diseases including cancers. In the field of drug discovery and toxicology studies, stem cells lines offers great opportunities in a wide range of applications, spanning from early target identification and cellular screening to the use of functional human cells in toxicity assessment and safety pharmacology. Human embryonic stem cells research is controversial because starting a stem cell line requires the destruction of a human embryo. Supporters of embryonic stem cells research argue that such research should be allowed because the resultant treatments could have significant medical potential. The National Academies (2007), established certain guidelines for conducting this type of research. These guidelines discuss several issues including the issue of gamete donor and the financial considerations they might face, issues related to ovulation induction as well as transplantation rules.