Are pluripotent stem cells capable of developing into a new individual?

Pluripotent stem cells are defined by their ability to differentiate into almost any cell type in the body, which means they have the potential to develop into any of the three germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. However, they do not have the capacity to form an entire organism independently. This is because, while they can give rise to various cell types, pluripotent stem cells lack the specific mechanisms and structures necessary to generate all the tissues and organs required for a fully formed individual.

In contrast, totipotent stem cells, such as those formed from the fertilization of an egg, have the potential to develop into a complete organism because they can give rise not only to all the cell types that make up the body but also to the extra-embryonic tissues like the placenta. This distinction is crucial for understanding stem cell capabilities. Thus, the assertion that pluripotent stem cells can develop into a new individual is false, as they simply do not possess the required characteristics to achieve this independent developmental pathway.