The weakness in this analogy is that the stem cell itself does not transform into anything. What stem cells can do is, on division, 1) make a progeny cell with

The weakness in this analogy is that the stem cell itself does not transform into anything. What stem cells can do is, on division, 1) make a progeny cell with a different cell fate (i.e., a different cell type) and 2) self-renew (make another stem cell). Maybe you could say stem cells die in the process of giving birth to fraternal twins, one of which is a clone of the parent.