Much attention has been focused recently around the world in the role of stem cells in the potential treatment of disease conditions. In the foreseeable future, it may be possible to use stem cells to rebuild or regenerate damaged or diseased tissues and organs. At present, stem cells are being used primarily to replace bone marrow depleted or destroyed by disease or chemotherapy. Certain diseases deplete the bone marrow. In other conditions, chemotherapy directed at cancers elsewhere in the body, destroy the bone marrow.

In these cases, BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT can be lifesaving measure. Unfortunately, the availability of suitable bone marrow donor is very limited. This is particularly true for some ethnic minorities. In addition, the risk of transmission of certain infectious diseases cannot be completely eliminated.