"This is an unproven theory." – Prof John Rasko'If you were the one sitting in a wheelchair, what would you do?" - Matt Battista If an experimental treatment existed for your illness – would you try it? Thousands of desperate Australians are turning to controversial, unproven stem cell treatments in the hope it cure a whole range of illnesses. They say they’re tired of waiting for the long process of clinical trials to conclude, while they get sicker and sicker. An exemption in Therapeutic Goods Administration regulation allows Australian doctors to treat patients with their own stem cells. Stem Cells Australia believes over 40 local doctors now offer treatments that haven’t been rigorously tested. Other patients are heading overseas for risky treatments that are strictly limited here in Australia. Some of them are returning back to Australia with startlingly successful results. Others have no improvement. This week, Insight asks whether current stem cell treatments are cause for hope – or just misleading hype.