Asked by: Caitlin Anderson, Tewkesbury

There are two basic types of stem cell - those found in the developing embryo, and those found in much smaller numbers in adults.

Those from the umbilical cord are hematopoietic (in other words, blood-forming) cells, similar to those found in adults, but less mature and more able to develop into other types - hence their value.

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Authors

Len Fisher

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