Centre of the Cell > Learn & play > Ethics > Stem cells

Stem cells

Stem cells are the most interesting type of cell there is. That is because they can turn into many different types of cell in the body.

Scientists at QMUL and elsewhere are trying to understand how stem cells do this.

Picture of stem cells

Introduction

Scientists hope that stem cell research will one day provide new treatments for patients with serious diseases.
Picture of a five day old embryo: about 100 cells

What is a stem cell?

Stem cells have the ability to turn into many different types of cell in the body.
Picture of a fertilised egg

When does life begin?

To decide whether research using embryos is right or wrong, you need to ask yourself: when does life begin?
Picture of stem cells

Stem cell research: boundaries and regulation

In the UK, scientists are allowed to keep an embryo for research until it is 14 days old.