Q. Can stem cell research help to develop and deliver new drugs?

A. Yes. Scientists are exploring the possibility of using stem cells as vehicles for delivering drugs into specific tissues.

And with an eye toward drug development, scientists plan to study and test the effect of drugs on differentiated human cells derived from stem cells in a culture dish. Examples could include the specialized neurons affected by Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, or the liver cells involved in detoxifying and removing many drugs.

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