During the election there were many issues debated between President Bush and Senator John Kerry. One of the most controversial was stem cell research. Both candidates felt strongly about their opinions. The voter was asked to choose between the two positions. However, when voters were asked about what a stem cell was people knew vaguely that is was something about medical research and had many misconceptions about the issue. Many people still have questions about stem cell research. What do all the terms mean that are used in stem cell research, for instance what is a hematopoietic stem cell? What are human embryonic stem cells? What classes of stem cells are there? Where do stem cells come from? Why do scientists want to use stem cell lines? Why are doctors and scientists so excited about human embryonic stem cells? Have human embryonic stem cells been used successfully to treat any human diseases yet? What will be the best type of stem cell to use for therapy? Which research is best to use? Why not use adult stem cells instead of using human embryonic stem cells in research? May individual states pass laws to permit human embryonic stem cell research? How many different types of stem cells are there?
             Stem cells can divide to become other types of cells. The stem cells found in umbilical cord blood and bone marrow can divide and become red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. They have been used as part of the treatment therapy in nearly 40 different cancers, immune deficiencies and genetic disorders. More opportunities are being discovered every year but, since each case is different, there is no guarantee that a cord blood transplant will be an appropriate treatment therapy or that it will provide a cure. Stem cells are used therapeutically for their ability to help restore function to the blood-making and immune systems. This is especially valuable when the systems have been damaged by radiation or chemotherapy.
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