Over the past decade, stem cell biology has been an area that has caused much controversy. Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into many different types of cells and therefore, advocates of stem cell research argue that the cells have various medical applications. On the other hand, opponents of stem cell research denounce the use of human embryos for research purposes, claiming that the embryos represent human lives and that experimentation with them and subsequent annihilation of them is the same as killing a living human being. Nevertheless, the potential uses for stem cells are endless and stem cells have the ability to completely change modern medical practices.

Human embryonic stem cells (HESCs) are characterized by several fundamental attributes. As pluripotent cells, the embryonic stem cells live in an undifferentiated state and have the ability to differentiate into numerous cell types. Taken from the inner cell mass...