This Health Industry Insights Perspective describes analyst perspectives on emerging efforts to develop stem cells as therapeutic solutions. Despite only nascent understanding of stem cells and how they work, research is advancing in several directions, including as new experimental therapies in human subjects. Stem cells are also the center of political (and as a result, financial) controversies that are affecting how stem cell research is both funded and performed. With stem cells in the headlines almost daily, the future development paths that could lead to breakthrough stem cell therapeutics remain both highly charged and extremely uncertain.