Stem cells are a type of human cell that can evolve into different types of cells. Stem cells themselves don’t have any function to them but they do have the ability to develop into other types of cells such as muscles, heart, liver, and regenerate damaged organs. 

Now there are two types of stem cells, Embryonic and Adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are derived from leftover human embryos, these cells are pluripotent meaning they have the potential to be any tissue in the body. Adult stem or Tissue-specific stem cells are cells that are found “in small numbers in our body tissues”(Craig A. Kohn). Adult stem cells restore dying cells and regenerate the damaged organs. Unlike Embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells are not pluripotent meaning they do not have the freedom to be any tissue in the body.

To whom might these stem cells be benefitted for? Well According Mayo clinic,Stem  Cells:What they are and what they do; states that people who may benefit from stem cells therapies are people with “spinal cord injuries, type 1 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, stroke, burns, cancer and osteoarthritis” Stem cells also give us an  insight on many different things such as, increasing the understanding of how disease occurs by observing stem cells grow into bone, heart muscles, nerve, etc. Stem cells also can give us the key to regenerative medicine as said before stem cells can be controlled to become specific cells that can be used to regenerate in replacement of damaged organs. Lastly stem cells can be used to test new drugs for effectiveness and safety. The real question here is that should we invest our money in the research of stem cells. Well, looking at the economical benefits I would say yes. Since stem cells have such potential to cure disease this in Effect reduces health care costs. According to Wiley Online library states that putting our money in this research will “stimulate the growth of the biotech sector; and generate tax revenue.” A side benefit of funding for stem research is that it’s an ethical investment, meaning investing in stem cell research may allow scientists to bring evolutionary and safe treatments for people in need.