There are several important reasons why the isolation of human pluripotent stem cells are important to science and to advances in health care. At the most fundamental level, pluripotent stem cells (cells which have the potential to differentiate into any type of human tissue) can help us to understand the complex events that occur during human development. A primary goal of stem cell research is the identification of the factors involved in the cellular decision-making process which will affect cell specialization. Some of our most serious medical conditions, such as cancer and birth defects, are due to abnormalities in cell specialization as well as cell division. A better understanding of normal cell processes will allow us to further delineate the fundamental errors that cause these often deadly illnesses.
             Perhaps the most far-reaching potential application of human pluripotent stem cells is the generation of cells and tissues that may be used for so-called "cell therapies." Many diseases and disorders result from disruption of cellular functioning or destruction of certain types of tissues of the body. Today, donated organs and tissues are often used to replace ailing or destroyed tissue. Unfortunately, the number of people suffering from these disorders far exceeds the number of organs available for transplantation. Pluripotent stem cells, stimulated to develop into specialized cells, offer the possibility of a renewable source of replacement cells and tissue to treat a multitude of diseases, conditions, and disabilities. Some disease or physical problems can be alleviated which include Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. For example, an experiment performed on mice, displayed that a once destroyed immune system can be repaired by stem cell implantation. If were paralyzed from the neck down would you want the treatments...