ARTICLE · 10 MARCH 2014

Stem Cell Research And IP Implications

Von Seidels

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Stem cells are a class of biological cells that are characterised by their ability to replicate and develop into the various tissue types of the body.

South AfricaIntellectual Property

Nicholas Watermeyer

Stem cells are a class of biological cells that are characterised by their ability to replicate and develop into the various tissue types of the body. Whereas adult stem cells act to repair damaged tissue and regenerate cells during natural biological turnover, embryonic stem cells are able to differentiate into any embryonic tissue, a condition known as "pluripotent". Adult stem cells can be extracted from a range of sources, notably, bone marrow, adipose tissue and blood, but embryonic stem cells can only be extracted from a developing human embryo, which can result in its destruction. This latter feature has given rise to the controversy surrounding embryonic stem cell research.

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