Abstract: The discovery of stem cells heralded great improvements in the prognosis of a number of patients, in particular those having haematological diseases, the classic example being, of course leukaemia. After these encouraging results, scientists are researching ways of manipulating stem cell technology in order to treat more effectively diseases which decimate affluent societies following the epidemic of obesity, such as cardiovascular diseases for example. Furthermore, recent studies give hope in the fight against autoimmune diseases, as well as sickle-cell anaemia, even going some way towards outlining methods of providing a cure, hopefully in the not-too-distant future.