To this end, scientists are studying the fundamental properties of stem cells, including:

determining precisely how stem cells remain unspecialized and self renewing for many years; and identifying the signals that cause stem cells to become specialized cells ("Stem Cell Basics").

This research will allow them to help the multitude of people afflicted with a variety of diseases.

Stem Cell Application:

This is perhaps the most important potential application for human stem cells - the generation of cells and tissues that can be used for cell-based therapies. Approximately 25.6 million Americans currently have diagnosed heart disease ("Heart Disease"). Stem cells may be utilized to generate healthy heart muscle cells, for patients with chronic heart disease. "Preliminary research in mice and other animals indicates that bone marrow stem cells, transplanted into a damaged heart, can generate heart muscle cells and successfully repopulate the heart tissue ("What are the Potential Uses").

Those...
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