Another good reason to support stem cell research

[Red Lion]

LONDON - British scientists plan to use stem cells to cure a common form of blindness, with the first patients receiving test treatment in five years.
The pioneering project, launched on Tuesday, aims to repair damaged retinas with cells derived from human embryonic stem cells. Its backers say it involves simple surgery that could one day become as routine as cataract operations.
They believe the technique is capable of restoring vision in the vast majority of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness among the elderly that afflicts around 14 million people in Europe.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19050236/wid/11915773?GT1=10109

[Red Lion]

I am one especially interested and supportive of stem cell research, as my wife has been an insulin dependent diabetic since she was 10 years old. Diabetes is a tough illness that slowly strips away your health.

[j_beste]

Im all for stem cell research. I hope this really is cure for this form of blindness. GOOD NEWS.

[adamsdad]

I think stem cell research is a great idea in theory but not the panacea that everyone thinks it will be. The article states that stem cells could one day be part of routine treatment. There are a lot of things that could one day be used as treatments. As someone that has had type 1 diabetes for over 30 years I do not think that stem cells will be of much use in the cure of diabetes. Since type 1 is now thought to be mainly an autoimmune disorder using stem cells to replace the beta cells of the pancreas would provide only a temporary fix at best. The unknown mechanism that caused the body to destroy it's original cells would once again attack and destroy the beta cells. This is why they have not had much luck with beta cell transplants. Again I think it (stem cell research) is exciting but I would not get my hopes too high in the near future.

[Aught Six]

I think stem cell research is a great idea in theory but not the panacea that everyone thinks it will be. The article states that stem cells could one day be part of routine treatment. There are a lot of things that could one day be used as treatments. As someone that has had type 1 diabetes for over 30 years I do not think that stem cells will be of much use in the cure of diabetes. Since type 1 is now thought to be mainly an autoimmune disorder using stem cells to replace the beta cells of the pancreas would provide only a temporary fix at best. The unknown mechanism that caused the body to destroy it's original cells would once again attack and destroy the beta cells. This is why they have not had much luck with beta cell transplants. Again I think it (stem cell research) is exciting but I would not get my hopes too high in the near future.

There has been progress transplanting porcine islet cells into the pancreas and stimulating regeneration. Obviously there's a need for immuno-suppressants with that kind of treatment, and that can cause complications down the road. But if we can culture the correct types of cells from human stem cells, there's a chance that it would be less complicated and more effective. It's not a done deal, but it looks promising.

[Red Lion]

I understand the piece about the possible drawbacks to eyelet cell implantation and again having them degenerate down the road. I have also heard that it is feasible/possible to still get up to 5 years before said degeneration occurs and then another transplant/implantation would need to occur. Ifthis is accurate/possible, I know that my wife would still prefer afewyears or morenormal functioning over her current dealings with Diabetes. Any way you cut it, I support ongoing stem cell researchwith the hope of medical break-throughs.

[Aught Six]

Five year treatments sure beat the hell out of two syringes and four lancets a day.

[DougMD]

It would be nice to see all kinds of cures eventually come from stem cell research.

[Sureisaniceskimask]

I'm all for stem cell research, but I don't think that it should be government funded....

[Aught Six]

Agreed...at least for the federal government.