WHAT ARE STEM CELLS?

• Stem cells are the basic building blocks of our bodies. They have the unique ability to turn into cells that make up our tissues, bones and organs. Stem cells have the potential to replace cell tissue that has been damaged or destroyed by severe illness or injury.

• The National Institutes of Health and the National Academy of Sciences, the two premier science arms of the federal government, describe stem cells as the “internal repair system” for the body.
  

• Regenerative medicine focuses on two types of stem cells: 1) adult stem cells, and 2) early stem cells -- also known as embryonic stem cells.

• The term “adult” does not mean that these are cells from adults. These cells are called "adult" because they are already committed, or programmed, to become a specific type of cell, such as a blood cell. Therefore, adult stem cells can be used to cure some – but not all – degenerative diseases and conditions.

• The term "embryonic" means that the cells are primitive or early. "Embryonic" describes the fact that these cells have not yet been committed, or programmed, to become any particular type of cell. In short, they have the potential to become any type of cell.

• Unlike adult stem cells, early, or embryonic, stem cells have the potential to become any cell type of the human body and therefore have the potential to replace any cell damaged by disease or injury.

• Stem Cell Research has the potential to cure over 130 million Americans plagued by chronic, degenerative diseases and conditions.

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The Alliance for Medical Research is an organization of scientists, physicians, health professionals, bioethicists, and educators who provide public education, awareness, and understanding of various and diverse sciences and research breakthroughs. To learn more about The Alliance for Medical Research or stem cell research, call 800-894-7201 or
visit www.tamr-ed.org.