A perspective on stem cells by a clinician

Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Box 116, Level 8, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK. iah1000@cam.ac.uk

Stem cell terminology has entered the lexicon of medical practitioners even though the application of harvesting stem cells to treat diseases other than haematological disorders is not yet a reality in clinical practice. All branches of medicine will be affected by the new technology, more so those related to regenerative cell-based therapy for disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and traumatic injuries to the nervous system. Endocrinology is not a branch of medicine that carries a burden of disease that merits priority for the early application of stem cell therapy once the technique becomes safe and practical to do so. However, the allied disorder of diabetes is, sine qua non, an ideal example of how stem cell therapy has the potential to cure a chronic disabling condition. It is logical therefore to have included a number of articles on stem cells in this special issue of this journal, publishing papers on a range of endocrine-related topics.