Stem cells are cells in the body that are undifferentiated but have the capacity to develop onto specialised cells in order to perform a specific function.

Stem cell research offers the hope of alleviating a wide range of human disease by harnessing the capacity of stem cells for differentiating into a variety of cell types. These can then be introduced into the body as a potential cure.

In the diabetes world for example the dream of patients is that clinical researchers will be able to cure the disease using stem cells to replace the malfunctioning pancreas. A supply of stem cells will be needed which can then be manipulated scientifically to secrete insulin and which are able to resist rejection and so give them the capability to survive long-term in the body.