Stem Cells Cloning and Therapeutic Potential.

ABSTRACT

Stem cells have huge potential to transform current manner in which medicine is practiced. Rather than treating diseased cells with medicines and antibiotics, stem cells can just replace the diseased cells with healthy cells. But it will take time before this research gets translated to the clinic. At present, various types of stem cells like human embryonic stem (hES) cells, induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, fetal stem cells, adult tissue-specific stem cells (HSCs, MSCs, etc.), very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) and related technologies like therapeutic cloning are subject to extensive research. Clinicians appear to be in a hurry to apply the stem cells to their patients and there is a huge industry banking stem cells for future autologus use. However, the scientifc community is still not sure which is the best stem cell candidate for regenerative medicine. The chapter provides an update on various fronts and also discusses whether there exists a need to bank stem cells for future use. The author is puzzled by realizing as to what needs to be repaired/ regenerated-the stem cells or their microenvironment ‘niche’!