Table of contentsStem cells and leukemiaAdvantagesDisadvantagesWhat are stem cells? According to (LHCrypto 2017), stem cells are a class of undifferentiated cells capable of differentiating into specialized cell types. Stem cells are also known as the raw material cells of the body from which all other cells with specialized functions are produced. Additionally, the stem cells divided to form more cells called daughter cells. The daughter cells can then become new stem cells or specialized cells with a more specific function, such as blood cells and brain cells. Where do stem cells come from?Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get the original essay Stem cells come from two main sources: Embryos (embryo stem cells) Adult tissues (adult stem cells) Both types are characterized by their potency, or potential for differentiation into different cell types, such as skin, muscle or bone. Embryonic stem cells: These stem cells come from embryos that are 3 to 5 days old. At this particular stage, an embryo is called a blastocyst and has around 150 cells. They are pluripotent stem cells, meaning they can divide into multiple stem cells or become any type of cell in the body. This allows embryonic stem cells to be used to recreate or repair diseased tissues and organs. Adult stem cells: These stem cells are found in most adult tissues, such as bone marrow or fat. Adult stem cells have a limited ability to allow the growth of various cells in the body. Adult tissues remain in a nondividing state until activated by disease or tissue injury. How have stem cells been used to treat people medically? (Explain the medical problem/source of stem cells/success) Stem cells have the potential to treat a wide range of diseases. During a stem cell transplant, the embryonic stem cells are specialized to the adult cell type. Then, mature cells replace tissue damaged by disease or injury. This type of treatment could be used to: Replace neurons damaged by spinal cord injury, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease or other neurological problems. Produce insulin that could treat people with diabetes. Heart muscle cells could repair damage caused after a heart attack. Stem cells and leukemia Leukemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow. Bone marrow produces blood cells, so leukemia can occur if there is a problem with blood cell production. It usually affects leukocytes (white blood cells). Leukemia occurs when the DNA of immature blood cells is damaged in some way. This causes blood cells to continue to grow and divide, so there are too many of them. Healthy blood cells die and are replaced by new cells produced in the bone marrow. While healthy blood cells disappear, abnormal blood cells do not die, they accumulate and take up more space. The abnormal cells are cancer cells. So as more cancer cells are produced, they stop the growth of healthy white blood cells and they can no longer function normally because.