Much research dealing with Adult Stem Cells, and Placental or Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells, has been accomplished in the last 5 years. Other recent study involves the very pluripotent stem cells found in the Wharton's Jelly of the umbilical cord of newborn babies.

These are ethically acceptable forms of research because they do not cause harm or death to a living human being.

Umbilical Cord Blood stem cells have been researched and used in treatments since 1988. Well over 60 human diseases have been successfully treated in patients (click on the cordblood.com link below). For some of the highlights of the research, click "Stem Cells: Research Archive" located here.  

For basic information on understanding the types of stem cells, click here.

For comparisons between Embryonic Stem Cell Research (ESCR) and Adult stem cell research for the treatment of several medical conditions, visit "Embryonic Stem Cell Research (unethical)" in this Stem Cell section.

For another in-depth article on the Real-World Successes of Adult Stem Cell Treatments:
 
http://www.frc.org/index.cfm?i=IS04J01&f=WU05B06&t=e

For more information on umbilical cord blood stem cells, visit
http://www.cordblood.com/cord_blood_banking_with_cbr/banking/diseases_treated.asp

Besides the ethical concerns surrounding embryo-destructive stem cell research and cloning, there are health concerns for the women "used" in this research.

Women are under increasing pressure to donate their eggs (ova) for research purposes of to freeze for future use.

However, the short-term risks to women, such as overstimulation of the ovaries, can result in infertility and even death. The long-term risks have not yet been adequately studied.