IntroductionThe term stem cell is a general term that, when spoken, is often accompanied by positive language such as untapped potential, therapeutic treatment and rebirth personal. However, this same term, when uttered, is also accompanied by alarming language, such as being ethically questionable, largely unproven, and even inhumane. By definition, “stem cells are characterized by their ability to self-renew and differentiate into several different cell types and tissues” (Koch, Berg and Betts, 155). Stem cells are undeveloped cells that are capable, once injected into the affected organ, tissue or bone, of self-renewing into cells belonging to that body region. This procedure shows promise in curing many medical problems. Stem cells come in many different types, and each type has certain limitations. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, meaning they are capable of developing into any cell type required by a developing embryo, including muscle, skin, bone, blood, nervous system and other organs (Pincott and Burch, 161). These types of stem cells are particularly appreciated because of their extreme diversity. However, these stem cells come at a high price. A second source of stem cells are placental and umbilical cord stem cells, which can differentiate into all types of blood cells. Another type of stem cell is induced pluripotent stem cells. These are old stem cells artificially modified to return them to their original pluripotent state, similar to that of embryonic stem cells. The final sources of stem cells discussed in this article are adult stem cells. Adult stem cells are not very diverse and can only be useful when injected into the same body region from which they were harvested. Stem cells are very popular middle of paper. stem cells as a therapeutic treatment for ASD (Ardhanareeswaran, Coppola and Vaccarino, 8). Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the last disease that stem cells have the potential to cure mentioned in this article. According to Emma Sian and her team at Future Cardiology, they studied the effects that stem cells would have in the treatment of coronary heart disease. “Congenital heart defects are caused by defects in the development of the fetal heart, which cause structural derangement of the heart” (Pincott and Burch, 161). Heart defects can, however, be detected before birth, so it is possible to inject stem cells into the developing fetus to stimulate the growth of underdeveloped organs. Since induced pluripotent cells can develop into all cell types required by a developing embryo, it is quite possible that this treatment could help coronary heart disease in the embryonic stage..