whats the difference between adult and embryonic stem cells?

Answer 1

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are derived from 4- to 5-day-old embryos. At this stage, the embryos are spherical and are known as blastocysts. Because ESCs are pluripotent and relatively easy to grow in cell culture, they are attractive candidates for use in stem cell therapies.
Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells that are found in small numbers in most adult tissues. However, they are also found in children and can be extracted from umbilical cord blood. A more accurate phrase is “somatic stem cells,” although this phrase has yet to be generally adopted.
The primary roles of adult stem cells in the body are to maintain and repair the tissues in which they are found. They are usually thought of as multipotent cells, giving rise to a closely related family of cells within the tissue. An example is hematopoietic stem cells, which form all the various cells in the blood.

Answer 2

For many years, scientists have conducted studies to determine whether the stem cells in adult tissue have the same developmental capability as embryonic stem cells. The general consensus is that adult stem cells seem to be less versatile. Scientists think that embryonic stem cells have a much greater utility and potential than the adult stem cells, because embryonic stem cells may develop into virtually every type of cell in the human body. Adult stem cells, on the other hand, may only be able to develop into a limited number of cell types. Embryonic stem cells also continue to divide indefinitely when placed in culture, while this may not be the case for adult stem cells and this would reduce their capacity to form new cell types. Both adult and embryonic stem cell research should continue simultaneously as they are both critical to our understanding of the etiology, progression and treatment of disease.

Answer 3

You're kidding, of course. What's the difference between adult and embryonic stem cells? Have you ever in your life opened a book?

Answer 4

embryonic stem cell can become any kind of cell

adult "stem cell" can become just one kind of cell,
or maybe 2-3 different kinds, but definitely not all.

Answer 5

embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, they can be induced to form any tissue.

adult stem cells can generally be used only to make the tissue that it originates from, however they can sometimes be manipulated to become pluripotent.

Answer 6

I found some good information on stem cells as well as the research and benefits of it etc here http://wiz.sc/stemcell. Seems to have some good advice and should help you.