Free Republic

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Dec. 20, 2005) -- Most children grow up playing with trucks and tanks, but few of them have the chance to ever experience riding the “Iron Horse.” Thanks to the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the Marines of 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, that experience came alive for six-year-old Brandon Rasnick of Lehigh Acres, Fla. Brandon, who was promoted to the rank of sergeant by his fellow Marines, has cystic fibrosis, a genetic lung disorder. Since his one wish was train with Marines and to “save the world,” the Marines of 2nd Tanks arranged a...

N (AFP) - Scientists in Britain said they have produced the world's first colonies of embryonic stem cells containing the genetic defect behind cystic fibrosis, in an apparent breakthrough in the fight against the disease. Researchers from King's College London, speaking at the British Association Festival of Science at the University of Exeter, said it is the first definitive case of stem cells being created containing any kind of genetic disease defect. The scientists are now looking for specialists around the world who can develop further the cells and use them to investigate new treatments, according to Stephen Minger, who...