Science Illustrated

Why are stem cells so useful?

In March 2016, a 20-year-old American, Kris Boesen, breaks his neck and is paralysed from the neck down. Less than a month later, Kris participates in a new medical experiment in which scientists inject 10 million stem cells directly into his injured spinal cord. The result appears miraculous. After three months, he can use both his arms and hands, write his name, eat on his own, use his phone, and hug his friends and family.

Kris Boesen is not the only one to have been healed by the amazing forces of stem cells. Throughout the

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