The research interest of several scientific teams has been recently focused on the ability of certain embryonic cells to multiply and differentiate in culture leading to the formation of organ tissues. The embryonic stem cells are derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst.

Experimental data have demonstrated the ability to direct the differentiation of these cells, under specific culture conditions, into haemopoetic cells, neurons, hepatocytes and myocardium cells.

Further development in this area is an exciting scientific challenge as it would form the base for new therapeutic prospects for many diseases.

At present, pluripotent stem cells from the umbilical cord of newborns can be isolated and frozen for a possible future transplantation and treatment of blood diseases.