A Brief History What Areas are Being Researched? Sources of Funding
The term "stem cell" was first used at a scientific conference in 1908. However, it was not until the 1960's that the pace of research started to gather steam with the illustration of self-renewing cells in mice. In 1978 stem cells were discovered in human blood, and stem cell cultivation began in the 1980's.

A major advance occurred in 1998 when Dr. James Thomson, considered by many the father of modern stem cell research, created the first human embryonic stem cell line at the University of Wisconsin. This event hastened the entry of other researchers, and the formation of business interests to investigate the potential development of stem cell-related research activity.

The presence of stem cells was soon discovered in human teeth, umbilical cord, and placenta blood. In 2007 another major step forward was taken when researchers at Wake Forest University and Harvard University derived stem cells from the skin of human adults, thus providing an alternative to the controversial use of human embryos.

Major universities, government agencies and private research facilities throughout the world are now actively involved in advancing our understanding of stem cells and their application to human and animal health.		 Scientists generally agree it is crucial to push forward rapidly in three major areas of stem cell research: embryonic stem cells, tissue/adult stem cells and induced pluripotent (or “reprogrammed”) stem cells.

Around the world, these three kinds of stem cells are under intense study for possible treatments for conditions from spinal cord injuries to juvenile diabetes. Each may hold particular promise for understanding and treating specific diseases, and results in one area of research will continue to shed light on work in the others.

The development of stem cell lines that can produce many tissues of the human body is an important scientific breakthrough. This research has the potential to revolutionize the practice of medicine and improve the quality and length of life. Given the enormous promise of stem cells therapies for so many devastating diseases, pursuit of all lines of research is important. 		researcherThere are a number of sources to fund the costs of stem cell research: federal governemnt agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health (U.S.), state governments, private research foundations, and investors in private companies. The United States restricted federal funding of embryonic stem cell research until the administration of President Barack Obama, who in March, 2009 lifted the ban imposed by President George W. Bush.

At present, there are more than 500 research facilities worldwide doing work stem cells. New discoveries are made on a regular basis, increasing the need for additional funding in the hope that this effort will result in improvements to our quality of life and the prevention of disease and illness.