Comment by jjw1414

It's important to distinguish between the types of stem cells when referring to pluripotency (i.e., the ability for a cell to differentiate into almost any cell type in the body). Embryonic stem cells are considered pluripotent. Adult stem cells are more correctly referred to as "multipotent" in that they can be coaxed into differentiating into other cell types, but typically into cell types close to their own lineage.