Our starting point is common to all living beings. No matter our species, origin or gender, we all develop from a single cell. Acting as the foundation for our growth and development, it is the ability of cells to develop into other cells that may hold the key to the future of medicine. With today's technology, common ailments such as diseases and injuries are cured through direct approaches and treatments like medicine. Although this approach has significantly improved the health and well-being of humanity, it still has drawbacks. The research and development of these drugs and solutions has become a multi-billion dollar industry, with drugs and treatments easily costing thousands of dollars. In an effort to take a more indirect and universal approach, scientists are now studying the capabilities of the single cell that serves as the starting point for growth: stem cells. With the ability to develop into multiple cell types enabling regenerative healing, stem cells are capable of not only developing cures for simple diseases, but also for more advanced problems like physical injuries and illnesses, including diabetes and heart disease (Keirstead et al. 2005). Every thirty-four seconds, cardiovascular disease claims the life of another American. With a toll of nearly 2,600 deaths per day, the disease has established itself as the leading cause of death since 1918. Over time, cardiovascular disease has the ability to deprive heart tissue of oxygen, thus killing the heart muscle cells. Loss of these cells leads to a number of other problems, including scar tissue formation and increased blood pressure. Over time, these conditions progress to eventual heart failure and, in many cases, death. Gi...... middle of paper ...... foolproof capacity of stem cells. Works Cited Keirstead HS, Nistor G, Bernal G, Totoiu M, Cloutier F, Sharp K, Steward O. Human Embryonic Stem Cell -Oligodendrocyte-derived progenitor cell transplants remyelinate and restore locomotion after spinal cord injury, The Journal of Neuroscience 2005; 25 (19): 4694-4705. Available at: http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/full/25/19/4694. Accessed February 1, 2010. National Institute of Health (United States) [NIHS]. Basics of stem cells. Bethesda (MD): US Department of Health and Human Services; April 28, 2009. Wade N. The New York Times. 2007 June 06; Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/06/science/06cnd-cell.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2. Accessed February 19, 2010. Weiss R. The Washington Post. 2007 June 07; Available at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/06/AR2007060601345.html. Accessed in February 2010. 17.