embryonic stem cell

Cultural  

1. Cells obtained from an embryo in the blastula phase, when they are still only a few days old. Because they have only begun to differentiate, these cells have the capability of developing into any cell in the human body, a fact which makes them potentially important in medicine. (See stem cell.)

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Example Sentences

The policy was based on a misunderstanding of embryonic stem cell science, which made it, in Mooney’s words, “a policy based on science fiction.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2025

They started with a human embryonic stem cell, editing its TKTL1 gene so that it no longer had the human mutation.

From New York Times • Sep. 8, 2022

Human embryonic stem cell research is controversial because the arguments for it and against it both involve ethical issues of life and death.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2018

US President Barack Obama lifts the ban on federal funding of new human embryonic stem cell lines.

From Nature • Dec. 6, 2016

He explained that using the patient's own cells was complex and carried risks, which is why the London Project opted for the embryonic stem cell line, which can produce a limitless supply of specialist cells.

From BBC • Sep. 28, 2015