The therapeutic potential of human embryonic stem cells

Received April 19, 2006Due to lack of suitable organ donors, future degenerative diseases and traumas could be treatedwith stem cell engraftment. To do this, large numbers of cells must be grown and maintained inculture. These cells must also be capable to differentiate into all the cells of the body. Embryonicstem cells fulfill many of the necessary criteria for clinical translation for use in therapeutictransplantation for a myriad of diseases. There are still many issues including immunological, cellcycling and differentiation that must be overcome for them to reach their potential use in theclinical arena.Key words Embryonic stem cells (ESC) - multipotent - pluripotent - somatic stem cells (SSC) - transplantation