Explain the role of stem cells in medical treatment.

Explanation

Stem cells are found in all organisms and are capable of dividing to form new cells which can be differentiated into various types of specialized cells.
Role of stem cells in medical treatment :
(i) These cells have been used for treatment of various cancers like leukemia and lym phoma.
(ii) It may also be used for treatment of severe auto-immune diseases like multiple sclerosis.
(iii) Embryonic stem cells, directed to diffe rentiate into specific cell types, offer the possibility of a renewable source of replace ment cells and tissues to treat diseases like Alzheimer.s disease, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, diabetes, arthritis and heart diseases.