In ViaCyte’s current design an isolation capsule keeps the allogeneic stem cells (taken from another person) from interacting with the host’s body. This would cause an immune response that would kill the islet stem cells. This means the implant has to be fairly large and complex to maintain a barrier while still allowing blood flow into the capsule to keep the stem cells alive.
A future design developed with CRISPR Therapeutics is a gene edited version of this implant. The gene editing knocks out the genes in the allogeneic stem cells that trigger the immune rejection response. This will allow a much smaller, simpler, and inexpensive implant that should be lower risk and last a lifetime.
Thank you most kindly for the response. My question is of a “yes” or “no” nature. Probably a lack of mental acuity on my part, so the question remains: Does human stem cell use require taking the life of an innocent human being?
I am going out on a limb here to interpret your answer as saying, “Not necessairly.” Am I right or wrong on that?