What are stem cells? And why are so many scientists unsatisfied with studying adult stem cells and why do they wish to make use of embryonic ones? Seen by many as extremely promising for the treatment of incurable pathologies, stem cells are among the hottest topics in public debate in that their potential applications have sparked a conflict among opposing ethical, legal and religious outlooks. In this book an internationally renowned researcher explains everything science has discovered so far in this cutting-edge field of regenerative medicine; he also challenges the false illusions that have been fed by research institutes operating in countries in which health research is not subject to strict scientific control.

Maurilio Sampaolesi teaches Human Anatomy at the University of Pavia and is the director of the Stem Cell Research Institute's Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory in Leuven, Belgium.