In the face of extraordinary advances in disease prevention and treatment devastating illnesses such as cancer, Parkinson's disease and neuromuscular dysfunction continue to deprive people of health, independence, and well-being. Stem cell research offers hope of a cure for millions in an age of hopelessness. While scientists are still miles away from finding actual cures each day they inch their way closer towards cures.

To fully understand the potential of stem cells, it is important to view them in the context of human development. At the time of fertilization, when the sperm and egg join, the cells produced are capable of forming an entire organism. These cells are classified as totipotent, which means that the potential of the cells is unlimited. At this point these cells can still develop into any type of specialized cell. Specialization starts almost immediately, as the multiplying cells form a ball called a...