Embryonic Stem Cells
One major process among several stem cell technologies is the use of embryonic stem cells. These stem cells are found within human embryos, during the initial growth phase of a human being. To further explain, a zygote, or fertilized egg contains blastomeres, which are dividing cells that eventually develop into an embryo and placenta. The key concept to consider here is that blastomeres are totipotent, meaning they have potential to grow into an entire living organism. The blastomeres then become hollow balls called the blastocysts. Within a blastocyst is the inner cell mass, a collection of cells which aid in further embryo development. Human embryonic stem cells are then derived from culturing a sample of the inner cell mass.