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Medical Advances

This section details just some of the advances in stem cell research and the actual treatments that have resulted from using ethical adult stem cell research. Stories about stem cell treatments are sorted by specific conditions treated or body systems affected by the conditions.

Stem Cell Sources

  • Nov. 11, 2011 - The Food and Drug Administration has given first-time approval for a product that uses umbilical cord blood stem cells to treat patients with blood cancers and immune system disorders. Numerous experiments have previously shown promise in helping patients suffering from many diseases.
  • Sept. 4, 2011 - Scientists for the first time have isolated and grown adult stem cells harvested from the colon. One of the study's authors said the research could benefit understanding of conditions like colorectal cancer or Crohn's disease.
  • Jan. 31, 2011 - Scripps Research Institute researchers have directly reprogrammed skin cells to become beating heart cells. This process avoids embryonic stem cells or having to revert cells into an embryonic-like state, which increases the risk the cells could be cancerous if used in treatments.
  • Nov. 7, 2010 - Nature Online reported that Canadian researchers have directly reprogrammed skin cells into blood cells. This ethical process skips steps necessary in embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cell research that could cause tumor formation.

  • Aug. 28, 2010 - The Washington Post featured a story on how Harvard biologists were able to transform one type of cell from mice into a completely different cell type. Researchers hope they'll eventually be able to use this research to reprogram ordinary adult cells into cells which could help treat various diseases like diabetes.

  • Feb. 1, 2010 - South Korean researchers have found evidence that bone marrow adult stem cells, which are used in many current treatments and experiments, may be found in human fat. Researchers hope the discovery could result in less invasive procedures to obtain the cells from fat instead of the marrow inside of bones.

  • June 17, 2009 - Brazilian researchers suggested that discarded fallopian tubes from hysterectomies could be a source of adult stem cells. The researchers were able to extract the adult stem cells and turn them into healthy muscle, fat, cartilage and bone cell lines. The cells could also be useful for studying and treating fertility problems.

  • Jan. 8, 2009 - Stem cells have been isolated from human testes by researchers at Stanford University. The cells showed some of the characteristics of embryonic stem cells, and may be used in future experiments with fertility treatments and other research.

  • Jan. 8, 2007 - Wake Forest researchers have found that amniotic fluid contains stem cells that can be turned into a variety of cell types.

  • Apr. 21, 2003 - Researchers have discovered that baby teeth contain adult stem cells.



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