In Trial, Drug Aids Vision of Elderly

NY Times ^ | May 24, 2005 | ANDREW POLLACK

[neverdem]

FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.

[Mercat]

This is awesome. I have macular digeneration. My mother was blind with it by the time she died and our opthamologist tells my 28 year old son that she sees the beginning of it in his eyes.

[1FASTGLOCK45]

Viagra helps my vision /sarc
I have bad vision myself, i'm glad they find something to help the elderly, if it doesn't have side effects!

[edpc]

Once this med lets the Viagra crowd get a clear view of what they're about to get, sales of the little blue pills may plummet.

[umgud]

I called in sick today........ told the boss I had anal glaucoma. He asked what that was and I told him I just couldn't see my a$$ coming in today.

[eleni121]

I wonder if this research is the result of fetal stem cells...

[null and void]

If thy eye offends thee, pluck it out?

[null and void]

Hmmmm, My dad is scheduled to start Macugen Friday ($4,000/treatment, a treatment every 6 weeks).

He's VERY interested in this new stuff.

[aposiopetic]

I wonder if this research is the result of fetal stem cells...

Other than as a result of the development of fetal cells into the researchers themselves -- in a very natural process that all of us have undergone -- it is not.

[grannyheart2000]

I too have ARMD wet form and have lost central vision in left eye and right eye is showing signs of going bad. I heard that they have been working on this for some time and thrilled this has finally been announced.
May all that dream of one day finding a way to at least stop the progression or perhaps the miracle of restoring some sight find hope in this new drug............

[bitt]

good find, thanks for the ping!!

[eleni121]

I wouldn't be so sure...Genentech is fully involved in the despicable exploitation of fetal stem cells. Very disheartening if this is true.

[eleni121]

What a strange way to respond.

[aposiopetic]

I work in this industry and am vocal in my opposition to the use of embryonic stem cells for research purposes. I can assure you that the time-lag between (a) research and (b) product development is long enough that the treatment now in clinical trial is not the result of research on embryonic stem cells, Genentech's (admittedly questionable) moral compass notwithstanding.

[null and void]

Your choice. Lose your vision, or use something that *might* have been developed using something you don't approve of.

I'm reminded of the cognitive dissonance that a PETA member must have when they fall ill. Die, or use a drug tested on animals!

[eleni121]

NO need to abuse the most helpless of humans in order to fix anything.

Morbid and highly disturbing.

[Fam4Bush]

Exactly!! Don't you feel that a card-carrying member of PETA should be prohibited from receivng any type of medical intervention promoted by animal research?

[Fam4Bush]

OTOH - A baby is a baby; no comparison to animal research.

Adult stem cells are the ones showing the most promise in many areas right now, but the researchers are having a difficult time getting funding. Reason: Political necessity to promote embryonic stem cell research per adherence to the death culture agenda.

[null and void]

So, if the only cure for your particular disease was somehow derived, no matter how peripherally, from embryonic stem cells, you would rather die than use it?

Dying's easy. Would you live for decades in intractable pain?

Would you languish unable to do more than blink your eyes?