Stem cell research (SP?)

Hmm I have not studied medical or anything, but after reading extensively about stem cells, the ones used and the ones with all the controversy do not come from the ubilical cord. Maybe its a third type of stem cell or something, but I am postive that the stem cells that have come into question are the ones that are from embryos.

I am reading from my textbook that stemcells come from embryos that are in the blastocyst stage, which is basically a hollow ball of about 8 to 16 cells. The embryos in this stage of development can be used in stem cell research.

EDIT: Here is an FAQ with more info then I just gave you. As you read, you see that there are indeed 3 sources of stem cells, but the ones I described above are the ones surronded in controversy.

http://www.isscr.org/science/faq.htm#1
 
Once again, the stem cells that are surronded in controversy are the ones from the blastula of the embryo. The stem cells from the umbilical cord hold some promise but they are not as easy to work with then embryo stem cells.
 
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