Though embryonic stem cells have the advantage of being able to differentiate into many different kinds of cells, somatic stem cells, being derived from the patient's own cells, have a significantly reduced chance of being rejected by the body's immune system than do embryonic stem cells. [2]

The use of somatic stem cells also eliminates the need to kill humans for scientific research. Because we have a viable source of stem cells from somatic stem cells, embryonic stem cells should not be used as their use destroys human life.

Stem cell research is rapidly advancing, and many things indicate that they will be an integral part of future disease treatments. Somatic stem cells can be found in such places as bone marrow, teeth, skin and skeletal muscles. [1] [2] The technology already exists to extract them from bone marrow, and research is being done in determining the usefulness of stem cells from deciduous teeth. [1] With these two locations already in use medically or being investigated and the many more places that somatic stem cells are located, current research has a large amount of potential with which to work. If the other stem cells prove to be as useful and the ones that we currently understand, then they will have a huge impact on treating major diseases such as cancer in the future.