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<p>Introduction 1</p> <p><b>Part I: Brushing Up on Biology 9</b></p> <p>Chapter 1: Painting the Broad Strokes of Stem Cell Science 11</p> <p>Chapter 2: Understanding Cells and Tissues 21</p> <p>Chapter 3: Tracing the History of Stem Cell Research 37</p> <p><b>Part II: Delving into Stem Cell Science 51</b></p> <p>Chapter 4: Starting with Embryonic Stem Cells 53</p> <p>Chapter 5: Understanding Adult Stem Cells 71</p> <p>Chapter 6: Exploring Other Stem Cell Sources 87</p> <p>Chapter 7: Understanding Why Scientists Mix and Match Cells 101</p> <p><b>Part III: Discovering How Stem Cells Can Affect the Future 121</b></p> <p>Chapter 8: Looking into Cancer’s Cradle: Cancer Stem Cells 123</p> <p>Chapter 9: Using Stem Cells to Understand and Treat Neurodegenerative Diseases 137</p> <p>Chapter 10: Improving Therapies for Diseases of the Heart, Liver, and Pancreas 159</p> <p>Chapter 11: Improving Drug Development 171</p> <p><b>Part IV: Putting Stem Cells to Use Today 181</b></p> <p>Chapter 12: Where We Are Now: Stem Cell Treatments, Trials, and Possibilities 183</p> <p>Chapter 13: Understanding the Role of Stem Cells in Transplants 201</p> <p>Chapter 14: Putting Stem Cells in the Bank 221</p> <p><b>Part V: Understanding the Debate: Ethics, Laws, and Money 231</b></p> <p>Chapter 15: Exploring Ethical, Religious, Philosophical, and Moral Questions 233</p> <p>Chapter 16: Getting a Handle on Current Stem Cell Laws and Policies 249</p> <p>Chapter 17: Following the Money: Understanding Stem Cell Funding and Profits 269</p> <p><b>Part VI: The Part of Tens 285</b></p> <p>Chapter 18: Ten (or So) Stem Cell Myths 287</p> <p>Chapter 19: Ten Hurdles to Stem Cell Use 295</p> <p>Chapter 20: Ten Possibilities for the Future of Stem Cells 303</p> <p>Chapter 21: Ten (or So) Things to Do Before You Consider Stem Cell Treatment 311</p> <p>Chapter 22: Ten (or So) Great Resources to Stay Up to Date 323</p> <p>Glossary 329</p> <p>Index 339</p>

<p>Lawrence S.B. Goldstein, PhD, one of the world's foremost experts in stem cell research, is Director of the Stem Cell Initiative at the University of California, San Diego. Meg Schneider is the author or coauthor of several books, including COPD For Dummies.</p>

<p>A balanced, plain-English guide to this politically charged topic</p> <p>This friendly, practical guide cuts away the hype and clearly presents the facts on stem cells. It explains what stem cells are and what they do, the legalities of harvesting them and using them in research, the latest research findings from the United States and abroad, and the prospects for medical stem cell therapies in the short and long term.</p> <ul> <li> <p>Brushing up on biology — understand the basics of cells and tissues and take a guided tour of the history of stem cell research</p> </li> <li> <p>Delving into stem cell science — get easy-to-follow explanations of embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, and sources of stem cells</p> </li> <li> <p>Where we are now — dig into the current practices in stem cell treatments, trials, and transplants</p> </li> <li> <p>The possibilities are endless — discover how stem cells are projected to make medical advances in the understanding and improved treatment of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and more</p> </li> <li> <p>Understanding the debate — explore the ethical, religious, philosophical, and moral questions related to stem cell research and get armed with the knowledge needed to take an informed stance</p> </li> </ul> <p>Open the book and find:</p> <ul> <li> <p>The current laws and policies</p> </li> <li> <p>Ethical, religious, and moral considerations</p> </li> <li> <p>How stem cells are being used to understand and treat specific diseases</p> </li> <li> <p>Safety issues associated with stem cells</p> </li> <li> <p>The pros and cons of current treatments</p> </li> <li> <p>Promising leads for spinal cord injuries</p> </li> <li> <p>Uses for hybrid, chimera, clone, and cybrid cells</p> </li> <li> <p>How stem cell banking works</p> </li> </ul> <p>Learn to:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Sort through straight, unbiased facts about the stem cell debate</p> </li> <li> <p>Understand what stem cells are and how they work</p> </li> <li> <p>Appreciate how stem cells are used in research and treatment</p> </li> <li> <p>Look to the future to what's in store for stem cell research</p> </li> </ul>

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