Embryonic stem cells are often touted to be "the medication of the future." A new study has just been released corroborating this idea, that stem cells may be used to cure or ease symptoms of previously untreatable conditions.
A new study, funded by Advanced Cell Technology in Massachusetts, has shown that stem cells may improve blindness caused by certain diseases. Not only does it lessen the blindness, stem cells also work quickly. After four months, neither of the participants had any negative immune responses, as is sometimes seen with stem cell introduction. Ideally, the stem cells could be used in earlier stages of treatment, potentially stopping symptoms in their tracks.
The two patients, a 78 year old woman with dry, age-related macular degeneration (the number one cause of blindness in the developed world), and a 51 year old woman with Stargardt’s macular dystrophy, had retinal cells replaced with embryonic stem cells. Stargardt’s is the most common cause of juvenile blindness. The 51 year old went from being unable to read a single to reading 5 after her treatment. The 78 year old went from reading 21 letters in a row to 28.
Stem cells are often considered a controversial treatment, as the uninformed mostly consider them to be taken from embryos (unborn children). Embryonic stem cells are found in the umbilical cord, and are reputed to be able to help stave off many illnesses once activated. The usefulness of a stem cell comes from its ability to grow into other cells. It could be considered the "template cell" for many other body cells. There are now even "banks" in which to keep preserved umbilical cords-essentially keeping a stock of cells that can be grown into other cells for any future mishaps. However, there are also adult stem cells, which can be found in many different types
of tissue. Bone marrow transplants, which save thousands of leukemia patients yearly, are based in the transfer of stem cells from a viable donor to a patient.
This study is the first time that there has been information published on the outcome of an embryonic stem cell treatment. Judging by this outcome, we can see why they published it. It was noted in the study however, that researchers are unsure if the positive outcomes on the patients could have also been attributed to immunosuppressive agents or a placebo effect. This type of treatment will not be available to the public for some years, said the researcher, as there are many safety assessments to be completed.
Until such time as stem cell treatments are available outside of a human trial, we will have to use regular medications to treat our symptoms and conditions.
Stem Cells May Ease Some Types of Blindness by TIFFANY S
A new study, funded by Advanced Cell Technology in Massachusetts, has shown that stem cells may improve blindness caused by certain diseases. Not only does it lessen the blindness, stem cells also work quickly. After four months, neither of the participants had any negative immune responses, as is sometimes seen with stem cell introduction. Ideally, the stem cells could be used in earlier stages of treatment, potentially stopping symptoms in their tracks.
The two patients, a 78 year old woman with dry, age-related macular degeneration (the number one cause of blindness in the developed world), and a 51 year old woman with Stargardt’s macular dystrophy, had retinal cells replaced with embryonic stem cells. Stargardt’s is the most common cause of juvenile blindness. The 51 year old went from being unable to read a single to reading 5 after her treatment. The 78 year old went from reading 21 letters in a row to 28.
Stem cells are often considered a controversial treatment, as the uninformed mostly consider them to be taken from embryos (unborn children). Embryonic stem cells are found in the umbilical cord, and are reputed to be able to help stave off many illnesses once activated. The usefulness of a stem cell comes from its ability to grow into other cells. It could be considered the "template cell" for many other body cells. There are now even "banks" in which to keep preserved umbilical cords-essentially keeping a stock of cells that can be grown into other cells for any future mishaps. However, there are also adult stem cells, which can be found in many different types
of tissue. Bone marrow transplants, which save thousands of leukemia patients yearly, are based in the transfer of stem cells from a viable donor to a patient.
This study is the first time that there has been information published on the outcome of an embryonic stem cell treatment. Judging by this outcome, we can see why they published it. It was noted in the study however, that researchers are unsure if the positive outcomes on the patients could have also been attributed to immunosuppressive agents or a placebo effect. This type of treatment will not be available to the public for some years, said the researcher, as there are many safety assessments to be completed.
Until such time as stem cell treatments are available outside of a human trial, we will have to use regular medications to treat our symptoms and conditions.
Stem Cells May Ease Some Types of Blindness by TIFFANY S