Stem cells: implications for urology.

Stem cells are characterized by their potential immortality and are capable of self-renewal and differentiation. Stem cells are proposed to provide the potential to cure degenerative diseases and to give important clues regarding human development and aging. However, stem cell research has evoked enthusiasm and passionate debate regarding the ethics of their use in medicine and reproduction. In this article, the current understanding of the biology of stem cells, their application in urology, and some of the controversies regarding their use are discussed. Although the clinical application of stem cell technologies to urologic practice is likely to be well in the future, advances in this field hold great promise for the correction of a number of illnesses. Nevertheless, scientists and ethicists will continue to struggle with their ethical responsibilities to the patient and society.