Which therapy utilizes stem cells to repair or replace damaged tissue?

Stem cell therapy is a treatment that involves the use of stem cells to repair or replace damaged tissues in the body. Stem cells are unique in that they have the ability to develop into different types of cells, which makes them particularly valuable in regenerative medicine. They can be utilized to regenerate damaged tissues or organs, offering a potential way to treat a variety of conditions, such as spinal cord injuries, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.

This therapy harnesses the natural ability of stem cells to differentiate into specialized cells, thereby facilitating the healing process in the affected areas. The effectiveness of stem cell therapy lies in its capability to target and alleviate the underlying causes of tissue damage by promoting repair mechanisms within the body.

In contrast, tissue engineering involves creating artificial organs or tissues in the lab, which may or may not include stem cells. Gene therapy focuses on altering or replacing defective genes to treat or prevent disease, while cell replacement therapy is a more general term that can also refer to methods that use various types of cells, not strictly stem cells, to replace damaged cells. Thus, while these other options relate to cellular therapies, stem cell therapy specifically emphasizes the use of stem cells for repair and replacement of damaged tissues.