In 2009, the National Institutes of Health issued guidelines for stem cell research in an attempt to calm objections. The directions include how stem cells can be used and how and when they are harvested. Consent from the parents is required.

While adult stem cells can be used in research, embryonic stem cells are capable of withstanding much more testing and are more flexible. Adult stem cells may not be able to produce the range of cells that embryonic stem cells can, which limits their use for research.

Ultimately, current research hopes to unlock our understanding of how diseases occur by watching how they mature and how stem cells generate healthy cells to replace those that are diseased or need to be regenerated. Stem cells are also useful to test promising new drugs for their effects, which will lead to new drugs.

New Research on the Horizon

Promising new research in adult stem cell research has shown they may have the ability to generate different types of cells. Previously, it was believed that adult stem cells could produce only similar cells. But now it is believed that unreleased cells can, in fact, create other types of cells. In one example, bone marrow cells may be able to create heart muscle cells. The research is in early clinical trials.

Regular adult cells have also been used in genetic reprogramming tests. By altering the genes, it is hoped they will take on the properties of embryonic cells. This allows their use instead of embryonic cells and may help with immune system rejection issues because the mutated cells still would belong to the original source.

So far, researchers have been able to transform connective tissue cells into functional heart cells in animals. However, it is as yet unknown whether there are long-term adverse effects from altering the adult cells. Determining that will take time and observation.