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A micrograph of a yellow and green speckled globular cell in the center surrounded by darker green/yellow striations.
Micrograph of a human stem cell.

Scientists isolate human stem cells for the first time.

1998

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Micrograph of a human stem cell.

Using human embryological tissue, stem cells, which are cells that have the capacity to become any kind of human cell, are isolated. This starts a new branch of research that is focused on using stem cells for potential regenerative therapies and more.

Anti-abortion activists will largely come out against the use of stem cells, making the assumption they are extracted from aborted fetuses, which they are not. In reality, stem cells are extracted from 3- to 5-day-old embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Nevertheless, a heated debate will emerge about the ethics of stem cell research.