From cancer to diabetes, stem cells have unlimited use

Mesenchymal stem cells are vital in the treatment of cystic fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, lung diseases, diabetes and many other medical conditions. [iStockphoto]

For many people, complex medical conditions like various forms of cancer and traumatic conditions like spinal cord injury, either signal a death sentence or leave one in a paraplegic state. But stem cell therapy is gaining a huge traction in organ transplant as was recently evident when Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria was able to regain his mobility courtesy of stem cell therapy.

So what are stem cells?