text: what are stem cells? i have almost no idea at all what a stem cell is, but i have to do an essay on it. please could someone explain in very simple words what a stem cell is and what use it has today. i already know it is unspecialised and may be used in the future to treat some diseases, but other than that, i need information. please help me! okay, lets put it in english rather than these morons who just wiki'd 'stem cells'  basically speaking, a 'stem cell' is a blank cell. it has the functions of a cell that is in the body, but has no specific recognition. it has to be placed and fused with other cells to copy those characteristics. think of it as white paint. it will stay white paint, but if you mix it with a different colour, it will change to be like the other colour. its pretty much a cell with no obdy information that has to be told what it is supposed to do.