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embryonic stem cell

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Also known as ES cells, ESC, embryonic stem cells, cellula precursoria embryonica

pluripotent stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of blastocysts

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Embryonic stem cells
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Human embryonic stem cells in cell culture Pluripotent: Embryonic stem cells are able to develop into any type of cell, excepting those of the placenta. Only embryonic stem cells of the morula are totipotent: to develop into any type of cell, including those of the placenta.

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are pluripotent stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst, an early-stage pre-implantation embryo. Human embryos reach the blastocyst stage 4–5 days post fertilization, at which time they consist of 50–150 cells. Isolating the inner cell mass (embryoblast) using immunosurgery results in destruction of the blastocyst, a process which raises ethical issues, including whether or not embryos at the pre-implantation stage have the same moral considerations as embryos in the post-implantation stage of development.

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