Why Should We Study Stem Cells? (PART II)  Well, the more they
are studied the more they tell us about how our body functions
in normal and diseased states, showing amazing potential in a
therapeutic sense. In the US, 2009 and 2010 saw the first use of
human embryonic stem cells in clinical trials, but they were
turned into neural support cells before they were implanted in
spinal cord injury patients. This research was performed on
animal models first to ensure its safety, and stands as a
landmark in stem cell therapy. Currently, this is largely how
such therapies are developing; taking an embryonic stem cell and
turning it into a more committed cell type that can then be
implanted.  Other notions of directly injecting embryonic stem
cells into patients to treat disease and degeneration are a
premature and scary thought, putting patients at high risk of
cancer, and thankfully are not allowed in most countries. As
stem cell scientists, we don’t want to promise miracle cures,
but we are very much aware of how