THE idea of stem cell therapy whips up emotions of hope and despair in equal measure.

For those suffering from serious illnesses, developments in stem cell therapy could be their saving grace, the chance to live a more fulfilling life, and they are fully supportive of any research and treatment that could speed this up.

Others consider research into this field as against nature and unethical.

But what are stem cells and why are they causing such a fuss?

Dr Marion Wood, consultant haematologist at the Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, explains: “Stem cells are unspecialised human or animal cells that can both renew and replace themselves by dividing, and also have the potential to grow and develop into many different types of body cells, such as blood, nerve or muscle cells.

“The most important stem cell is a fertilized egg, which grows and divides to form an entire animal or human being.

“In some adult tissues, for example the bone marrow, stem cells generate replacements for cells that have been lost or destroyed through normal wear and tear or through injury or diseases.

“The use of embryos in research has caused controversy, especially in the USA.”

Trials to find ways to extract and use stem cells – from embryos and adults – have been going on for many years.

Medics and scientists conduct multiple clinical trials under strict conditions before anything is approved, and even then the most recognised stem cell therapy is a bone marrow transplant, a treatment that’s 40 years old.

But this type of treatment, used mainly for leukaemia, does not work for all illnesses and some people turn to alternative therapies and supplements which claim to boost stem cells.

Medics are sceptical of these therapies and urge consumers to talk to their consultants before taking anything new.

Dr Wood added: “Stem cell therapy is complex and highly specialised.

“It is certainly not something that is available as a pill or medicine that can be taken by mouth.”

She explained that while blood and bone marrow stem cell transplants are well established, others are new and should only be carried out as part of an ethically-approved clinical trial, so the participant is fully aware of the risks and benefits, with the medical team ensuring they are as safe as possible.

She continued: “If someone is being asked to pay for an experimental treatment, this must be outside an ethically approved trial.

“There are many, many types of ‘alternative’ therapies available and offered for a wide variety of disease and illness.

“Some have been studied, like conventional therapies, and we have evidence for and understanding of how they may work.

“I always advise individuals discuss the therapy they are considering with their doctor or other health professional, in order to clarify whether there are likely to be any risks or complications.”

Awareness of the benefits of stem cell research was raised by the late Christopher Reeve, the Superman actor, paralysed after a fall from a horse.

He pushed for more research and US President Barak Obama’s election has raised scientists’ hopes of more funding.

In the UK, University College London established its Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine in April, bringing together more than 150 research groups sharing a common interest in stem cells, tissue engineering, repair and regeneration and the development of their therapeutic potential.

In May, an international conference involving stem cell experts met to discuss stem cell therapy.

Their findings are due to be published by the end of the year.

Colchester man Paul Bull, who has multiple sclerosis, represented MS patient groups at the conference, and said it made him realise just how long it would be before a mainstream stem cell therapy was available.

He said: “There are only a handful of clinical trials happening around the world, involving a handful of people, which shows that research is still in the early stages and it is a long way off before any health service anywhere in the world can afford it.”

Dr Wood echoed Mr Bull’s comment, but pointed to the great deal of research in the field at the moment.

But, she admitted, while research is ongoing, medical science is far from being able to offer a treatment to cure many diseases, with as many questions arising as answers provided.