Reply #18: the umbilical cord is the source of adult stem cells

[tandot]

they are not clear yet which (adult or embryonic) is better for which disease.

http://www.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/08/09/stem.cell.alternative/

snip

"We don't know at this point which will be better for what," she said. "We need to learn from both. We need to learn the differences, the relative advantages, and we learn a tremendous amount by comparing the two cells."

Some other scientists disagree.

"Those adult stem cells … , this alternative, are actually much more effective at reaching these goals of therapeutic treatment," said Dr. David Prentice, a professor of life sciences at Indiana State University and a founder of Do No Harm, The Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics.

snip

I guess it depends on what side of the issue you are on. However, as long as those left-over embryos from in-vitro fertilizations are thrown away anyway, why not try to find out? What is lost?