Read a moving account of Senator Hatch’s long and inspiring search
concerning his decision to support stem cell research from his book, 
The "Right to Recover" by Yvonne Perry highlights TAMR's accomplishments in Texas. Click the picture to read the excerpt and to listen to the companion song.In Vitro Fertilization
Stem Cells Derived from Surplus in vitro Fertilized Eggs
- There are 400,000 fertilized eggs stored in fertility clinic freezers in the US, many of which are destined to be discarded. Rather than discarding the fertilized eggs, a couple may, after completing their families, make the decision to donate them to research to save lives.
- The fertilized egg from in vitro fertilization is called a blastocyst, which is a microscopic collection of 100-200 undifferentiated cells that are in a Petrie Dish for about 5 days.
- These stem cells, derived from the blastocyst, are unique because they can become any cell type of the human body (pluripotent) and are capable of seemingly unlimited growth potential. These cells have the potential to replace cells that have been damaged by disease or injury.
- This is very different from adult stem cells and is an important distinction because large numbers of cells are needed for stem cell therapy.
