Stem cells are special human cells that have the ability to develop into many different cell types, from muscle cells to brain cells.  In some cases, they also have the ability to repair damaged tissues.   The publicity around stem cell therapy has given many people who have sustained a devastating injury such as spinal cord injury (SCI) the hope of achieving partial or full recovery from their injuries.  Several phase I and II clinical trials are being conducted owing to positive results obtained in animal models.  While safety during the trials has been demonstrated, clinical efficacy in the outcome of ethically approved trials is still lacking.  Many persons affected by SCI are, however, desperate for a cure and are lured into undergoing stem cell therapy by marketing campaigns and information readily available on the internet.   These people travel far and wide to undergo stem cell therapy, which has led to the term 'stem cell tourism'.  Such tourism often involves large medical fees in an unregulated environment.  Although promising, stem cells have not shown enough evidence in humans to yet become a valid medical treatment.  Participation in medical studies undertaken by respectable universities is encouraged to accelerate the development of these treatments.   Skeen, M., Eksteen, C.A. and Pepper, M.S., 2019. Stem cell tourism and spinal cord injury in South Africa. South African Medical Journal, 109(8, Supplement 1), pp.S18-S24.