Final answer:
Stem cells are used in tissue regeneration to repair and regenerate damaged tissues and organs, and can treat diseases like diabetes and heart disease through cell-based therapy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The therapeutic use of stem cells is primarily focused on tissue regeneration. Stem cells are unspecialized cells with the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. In therapeutic applications, they are used to repair and regenerate damaged tissues and organs. One of the most well-known and widely researched applications of stem cells is their ability to differentiate into specialized cells to replace those that are damaged or diseased. This is particularly powerful in treating conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, and through cell-based therapy, diseases can be treated by injecting stem cells induced to differentiate into a growth dish into a patient to repair cellular damage.
There are various sources of stem cells, including embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells (such as those found in bone marrow or the skin), and those derived from the umbilical cord or baby teeth. Each source comes with its own ethical considerations, research potential, and application scope. For example, embryonic stem cells have a broad differentiation potential but may cause immune rejection and ethical concerns, while adult stem cells, found in most tissues, are less controversial but have a more limited range of differentiation.