EN
This article reviews early research on embryonic stem cells and present possibilities of their application, e.g. in anticancer therapy. It also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of applying embryonic stem cells in the treatment of selected disorders. Embryonic stem cells are characterized by pluripotency, that is, the ability to differentiate into every type of cells of a developing organism. The research of recent years has revealed considerable similarities between embryonic stem cells and cancer cells, mainly in terms of the presence of common surface antigen molecules. However, a great potential of embryonic stem cells for biomedical applications is combined with a risk of their differentiation into cancer. Research based on animal models (e.g. mouse) has shown that directed embryonic stem-cell therapy can be used in many degenerative disorders.