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What was the first FDA-approved stem cell treatment?

A. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for arthritis.
B. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
C. Neural stem cell therapy for spinal cord injuries.
D. Induced pluripotent stem cell therapy for heart disease.

User Phidius
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Final answer:

The first FDA-approved stem cell treatment is Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, using stem cells often sourced from bone marrow, peripheral blood, or cord blood to treat blood-related diseases. Option B is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The first FDA-approved stem cell treatment was Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This treatment uses stem cells derived from bone marrow, peripheral blood, or umbilical cord blood to replace or repair damaged cells or tissues, primarily in patients with conditions affecting the blood, such as leukemia or lymphoma.

Stem cells have the remarkable capacity to develop into different types of specialized cells, a characteristic that makes them incredibly valuable for therapeutic applications including the potential treatment of diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

While embryonic stem cells have extensive differentiation potential, they face issues like ethical concerns and immune system rejection. In contrast, adult stem cells have limited differentiation ability but are less likely to be rejected by the body.

Moreover, induced pluripotent stem cells present a notable advancement in the field by avoiding the complications associated with embryonic stem cells.

User Maxpayne
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