Dr. Gearhart and his coworkers derived pluripotent stem cells from fetal gonadal tissue destined to form germ cells. When grown in culture, these cells resemble other types of pluripotent stem cells in that they, like the cells from Dr. Thomson's work, also can develop into cells of the three major tissue types. As policy makers proceed to consider the scientific, ethical and societal issues raised by this research, it is absolutely essential to clarify terms and definitions. There are many types of stem cells. There is a hierarchy of stem cell types.
Some stem cells are more committed than others.
Through processes we are only beginning to understand, primitive stem cells can be stimulated to become specialized, so that they are precursors to any one of many different cell types such as muscle cells, skin cells, nerve cells, liver cells. All stem cells have the capability of self-renewal, i.e., they can continually reproduce themselves. Each cell of this early embryo has the potential to develop into a human being. After a few days of development, the early embryo forms a hollow ball of cells, called a blastocyst. This is the next stage of embryonic development.