Note

  • Stem Cell Therapy, which is part of regenerative medicine, uses specialized cells to repair diseased, dysfunctional, or injured tissue.

What are stem cells?

  • Stem cells are a special type of cell that have two important properties. They are able to make more cells like themselves. That is, they self-renew.

Benefits:

  • Can replace specific damaged cells or tissues, like blood cells.
  • Can help in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease.
  • Ensures safe testing of new medicines and checks their effectiveness.

Challenge:

  • The use of embryonic stem cells has raised ethical questions.

Source: The Hindu