The human organism fundamentally needs stem cells for all growth and regeneration processes, given that stem cells can divide themselves with an incredible frequency and can actually convert themselves into different types of cells (i.e. they differentiate themselves). The whole human body evolves from embryonic stem cells, i.e. cells that develop shortly after the egg has been fertilized by the sperm. However, after just a few days, these cells lose the capability to convert into any body cell imaginable: over time they specialize more and more and take over functions such as the forwarding of information via electrical impulses (nerve cells) or the production of hormones, such as insulin(beta cells in the pancreas).

Some cells do, however, remain stem cells in the furthest sense of the word, i.e. they do not lose the ability to reproduce in virtually unlimited quantities and to differentiate themselves into different cell types. These adult stem cells provide by body's natural repair and regeneration system and are part of virtually any type of body tissue, such as for instance the skin, fat deposits or the liver.

Bone Marrow Stem Cells
The primary responsibility of bone marrow stem cells is the periodic regeneration of blood cells. Nonetheless, cell culture and animal experiments have already proven that bone marrow stem cells can also be used to create other body cells, such as nerve, muscular and liver cells - if needed.

Bone marrow stem cells rose to fame more than 40 years ago thanks to their ability to heal leukemia patients after chemotherapy if they are donated by a healthy individual. However, third party donor bone marrow may trigger the feared transplant-versus-host reaction (GVHD, graft-versus-host-disease) - i.e. a rather strong rejection response against the foreign tissue - which can ultimately result in complete organ failure. The therapeutic utilization of the body's own stem cells does not lead to such a rejection response.

Although bone marrow stem cells do have an amazing regenerative potential, they come with the downside that they age along with the body. After all, they are exposed to the same environmental impact and lifestyle of the individual who carries them. If the individual falls ill, he or she may already be in a state where even the body's own stem cells no longer have sufficient healing potential. The cause of the illness may actually be a malfunction of the stem cells - triggered by X-rays, certain medication (for instance after chemotherapy) other environmental influences. In these cases, frozen and therefore several years younger stem cells could definitely render support to the body as it recovers.

The storage of valuable stem cells is therefore not only a critical decision for newborn babies, but also for adults!