Regarding stem cells: I recently saw an article in a magazine at a friend's house that describes an
exciting new breakthrough. If I understand it correctly, some researchers have found a way to take adult cells from almost
any organ and turn them back into stem cells. I will try to find the article again. If true, this is wonderful news. 
From my understanding, the most successful results in stem cell based treatments have come from adult cells taken directly from the patient receiving the treatment.
Even better! I love medical progress, it gives me hope for the future. 
This may be outdated info, but I recall hearing somewhere that the stem cell research ban in the USA also applied to stem cells taken from the umbilical chord, or anywhere else. I remember the researcher saying that their research was limited to private institutions and that the government would have to change their blanket ban on stem cell research soon.
I wonder if they have changed that law yet to allow exceptions at the very least, or if it still bans any and all stem cell related research.
*I feel like I was a bit redundant...could probably cut down that response....but too lazy lol