Every tissue in our body has stem cells in it. Aging is the process of losing stem cells, according to Doris Taylor, director of the Center for Cardiovascular Repair at the University of Minnesota.
As we age, the number of stem cells decrease and their function decreases. When cancer patients get bone marrow transplants, they're not getting just new blood, as scientists used to think, they're getting stem cells, which are regenerative.
Taylor talks to Krista Tippett of Speaking of Faith about cutting-edge research on stem cells and their awesomeness, how they can save people's lives, even reverse aging.
And no, stem cells don't come from aborted fetuses. They come from donated fertilized (usually called embryonic) eggs that were going to be thrown away.
Stem cells have gotten a bad rap and research has been slowed, thanks to conservatives.
Taylor addresses the religious, moral and ethical concerns of stem cell research.
Obama's March stem cell research speech marked the return of science to the White House.
Holding a pigs heart:
SoundSeen: Surprising Beauty, Holding A Pig's Heart from Speaking of Faith on Vimeo.
