Importance of Stem Cell Research 

Stem cells are rare cells that have the ability to replicate themselves. As primitive (or undifferentiated) cells, they haven’t yet gone through the process of specialization. Theoretically, stem cells can divide an infinite number of times to replenish other cells, providing a built-in repair system for the body.

As a result, stem cells have the potential to provide revolutionary new therapies as sources of replacement cells and organs, such as blood and bone marrow, brain, pancreas, lung, heart, liver, kidney, muscle and skin. To harness this potential, scientists face great challenges in developing methods for stem cell growth and manipulation and in testing the therapeutic potential of stem cells in clinical trials.

Value of Pediatric-Based Research

Many of the diseases of childhood are caused by developmental and/or genetic defects that are ideally suited to stem cell therapy. At its core, stem cell therapy aims to harness the potential of undifferentiated cells to develop into functioning, specialized cells and tissues. As a result, stem cell research offers unique opportunities for the possible treatment of childhood diseases.

The potential for growth and differentiation that exists in the tissues of a developing child provides an ideal setting for re-programming and growth of transplanted stem cells. Not only are stem cell-based treatments for childhood diseases critically needed, there are likely to be significant biological advantages to the use of stem cell therapy at this early stage of life. Lessons learned from the therapies developed in children will be useful in treating adult diseases.