I don't have a citation for this, but I have heard that some scientists believe that umbilical stem cells can be used for the same research methods as fetal stem cells.

Is that possible, to substitute umbilical stem cells instead of fetal stem cells? And if so, why isn't the scientific community pushing for using umbilical stem cells instead?

Could this replace fetal stem cells as a less controversial method of research?

Ok, first, "fetal" stem cells are actually embryonic stem cells taken during or before the eight cell stage of the embryo. They are not taken from a fully formed little baby. Umbilical cord cells are being used and the president voted to fund that research. The problem is that the umbilical cells can't be used in as many ways as the embryonic cells. Embryonic cells are totipotent, meaning they can differentiate into ANY cell type. Cord cells are, for the most part, pluripotent, meaning they can only differentiate into some types of cells.

What is the best umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation company?

Please only answer IF you or someone you know has banked their babies cord blood.

I would ask the hospital or check online! There are all kinds of adds in preganancy magazines!

I am pretty sure that fetal stem cell research is still illegal, but how about umbilical stem cell research? thnx

Yes, it is legal. Actually, fetal stem cell research is not illegal, but the federal government refuses to fund fetal stem cell research. States, universities, laboratories and the like can do the research, they just don't get any money from the federal government to do it.

Stem cell created from umbilical cord blood can help muscular dystrophy?

As i know, umbilical cord blood can created stem cell that can be cure to many disease. it is because it can combine with other stem cell without problem. so if muscular dystrophy patient (which is do not have dystrophine because their stem cell can't create dystrophine in their body) receive umbilical cord blood stem cell, would the cell develop the dystrophine? if it true, i think it would be great to muscular dystrophy patient like me. sorry if my english was bad.

I don't think this is possible in current medical technology, great question!

What is the difference between fetal stem cells and umbilical stem cells?

Apart from location, of course.

Nothing. I think terminology is hanging you up, because they're called embryonic stem cells. They are harvested from the blood in the umbilical cord after a baby is born.

Adult stem cells are harvested from adult blood or marrow. Marrow produces stem cells, which change into red blood cells. Stem cells are isolated from adult blood.