An article posted on the Orange County Register Web site gives background information on several types of stem cells, including those found in cord blood. The article indicates that cord blood stem cells have proven useful in treating the same types of health problems as bone marrow stem cells but that they have not been shown to have extensive proliferative capacity and are not able to produce all the cell types in the body. Potential future regenerative medical applications of stem cells, including the treatment of diabetes, heart damage and brain injury are also discussed.