Totipotent stem cells have the ability to develop into any cell type; they are only found within the early embryo, before the blastocyst (an early stage in embryonic development, which consists of about 150 cells shaped in a ball-like structure) is formed (Brady). Pluripotent stem cells, found within the blastocyst, can develop into any body tissue, but lack the ability to create an entire organism (Brady). Finally, multipotent cells cannot become any body tissue, but instead have the ability to differentiate into many types of cells within a specific group of cells, such as epithelial stem cells developing into skin cells, or cells that line the intestine (Robertson). .
As stated by Dr. Kurtzberg at the July 17, 2003 US senate committee hearing on science and transportation, bone marrow is one of the primary sources of stem cells from adult humans. Bone marrow, the internal sponge-like structures found within all bones, is rich with hematopoietic stem cells, which are instrumental in curing leukemia, as well as other types of cancer (Kurtzberg). These hematopoietic stem cells circulate throughout the entire body of the patient, ridding individuals of leukemia and other cancers on a universal scale (Kurtzberg). Furthermore, these hematopoietic stem cells found in adult bone marrow have been proven to create new neurons in the brain, a process that was once thought to be impossible (Kurtzberg).
Another type of stem cell, called cord blood stem cell, is derived from the umbilical cord after birth. This type of stem cell, which shares many similar features with adult stem cells found in bone marrow, is rich with pluripotent cells. (Rubenstein) Cord blood cells appear to be superior to adult bone marrow stem cells, because they are much less likely to be afflicted with viral infections that could sicken or even kill the recipient. The reason for is because adult cells are much more likely to become exposed to such harmful viruses, while cord blood stem cells have been sheltered by the mother's protective womb (Rubenstein).