Stem cell research is a highly debated medical solution. The reason proponents of the technology feel so strongly is because of the power stem cells hold. These blank canvases split and multiply and when they do, they have the power to create new, unique cells.

For instance, muscle, red blood and brain cells can all form. These small pieces of life can also be convinced to reproduce and heal body organs all from one source. While they are naturally occurring in the body, some auto-immune diseases cause damage that could be reversed if damaged parts of the body were to be replaced on a cellular level and stem technology can provide that option in some cases.

Debates around the technology started occurring when embryonic sources were used to retrieve stem cells. The embryos were considered living humans by some which lead to the argument that research was being done at the cost of a human life. Since then, adult cells have been programmed to act just like their embryonic counterparts. This could eliminate the need for embryo sources.

While there are many avenues for medical research, it is the regenerative properties that intrigue researchers the most. Regenerating tissues, muscle and organs could mean the difference between life, death and healing. Currently doctors are looking into the difference between the self-renewal characteristics of embryonic versus non-embryonic stem cells. If doctors can piece together this human puzzle, they would make one huge step closer to the cure for cancer and the ability to grow the embryonic cells in a laboratory.

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