Long billed as the next big thing in medical treatment, a change in approach may unlock stem cells’ limitless potential

WORDS LAURA WALKER

Stem cells are the ‘parent’ cells from which all other cells in our bodies arise. They are nature’s building blocks, with the potential to become any type of cell – from the skin on the soles of our feet to photoreceptors in our eyes. While scientists suggested their existence as far back as 1908, it wasn’t until 1978 that they were finally discovered in umbilical cord blood. Stem cells quickly became the focus of a scientific and media frenzy. There was much speculation about their potential to solve all sorts of medical issues – from curing diseases such as Alzheimer’s to creating whole new organs – thanks to their ability to change into any cell type and therefore replace those that have been damaged or lost.

But this excitement was swiftly followed by debate and controversy, most of which has centred on the source of the stem cells. Most controversial are embryonic stem cells. They are harvested five to seven days after the fertilisation of a human embryo, while it’s still a tiny ball of cells. Embryonic stem cell research is only permitted in certain US states and is allowed, subject to tight controls, in the UK. But researchers have also turned their attention to adult stem cell research.