Link to article at ABC News (in my main link, I gave the link to the print version, so it's all on one page)
Here is the other article about use of stem cells to cure diabetes (rather than post a separate thread):
Researchers Use Embryonic Stem Cells to Treat Diabetes
Doctors may be one step closer to using stem cells to cure diabetes, according to a new study by researchers at the stem cell engineering company Novacell, Inc. in San Diego who report that they managed to convert human embryonic stem cells into insulin-producing cells.
Insulin is the chemical produced in the pancreas that allows the body to regulate blood-sugar levels — and it is precisely the substance that many of those with diabetes lack.
The researchers, who reported their findings in the journal Nature Biotechnology, found that when they injected these human cells into diabetic mice, the treatment alleviated diabetes in the rodents.
Good for the critters. It’s the Year of the Rat, after all.
Great advance! For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of this country! [/rat]
Fund it! Think of all the people who can be employed rounding up and injecting the rats in NYC alone!
“Some people oppose the use of human embryonic stem cells on ethical grounds because creating the reservoirs of these cells for use in research involves the destruction of human embryos.”
Bad news for HUMAN LIFE!
This only works in Rats?? No hope for Republicans or other conservatives?
There are no brain cells in embryonic stem cells. ESCs are pluripotent (or whatever) and havent developed in any specific organ yet.
This is very good news though. I hope it works.
“human embryonic stem cells helped fix stroke damage in the brains of rats”
So why can’t we try using the embryonic stem cells of rats (or say dolphins) in HUMANS?
Since this seems to work across species...
ping
We are entering a new medical age that will see what will seem like miracles when many lifes are saved and or improved with gene therapies. It’s quite exciting.
Stem cell transplants 'may benefit stroke victims' Monday, 28 Jan 2008 12:56
Stroke victims could see their condition improve after receiving stem cell transplants, two separate studies have concluded today.MultiStem for StrokeBoth studies saw transplanted stem cells successfully migrate and one noted significant reductions in cell death.
They are published today in the journal Cell Transplantation [snip]
Commenting on the findings, Cell Transplantation associated editor De Cesar Borlongan said: "Both studies lend important support to a growing body of laboratory evidence that bone marrow is a remarkable adult stem cell source for transplant therapy following stroke.
MultiStem is a biologic product that consists of undifferentiated human stem cells obtained from adult bone marrow or other non-embryonic tissue sources. The cells may be produced on a large scale for future clinical use and stored in frozen form until needed. Material from a single qualified donor may be used to produce hundreds of thousand or even millions of clinical doses of MultiStem, which are extensively characterized to ensure product consistency and safety.
"Moreover, one of the biggest concerns about injecting patients with embryonic stem cells is that these cells have the potential to develop into cancerous tumors."The study does show that these [human embryonic stem cells] might have developed to a point where they appear to be no longer [tumor-forming]," said Dr. Bryon Petersen, associate professor in the department of pathology at the University of Florida College of Medicine. "This is a good thing, but what needs to follow is just how long will these cells stay fully differentiated — to make these cells no longer a threat to the patient's long-term health."
Seems that I've heard the issue of tumors once or twice before...with other "prospective" therapies that have since been abandoned. Seems the tumor issue hasn't come up with cord-blood stem cells or adult stem cells, though.