US doctors to use stem cells to repair patient's damaged spinal cord

[blu]

US doctors to use stem cells to repair patient's damaged spinal cord - Sci/Tech - DNA



the marvels of modern medicine. I can't wait until all injuries are instantly/quickly healed due to stem cell treatment.

 

[konradv]

US doctors to use stem cells to repair patient's damaged spinal cord - Sci/Tech - DNA

the marvels of modern medicine. I can't wait until all injuries are instantly/quickly healed due to stem cell treatment.

This will cause controversy, because they're using embryonic stem cells. Up until now one argument has been that no therapy has ever been developed using ESCs. Be prepared for a renewed and virulent debate.

 

[konradv]

I'm really surprised people haven't jumped all over this topic, especially in an election year. I thought we'd have at least a few posts on "snowflake children" by now.

 

[Old Rocks]

Oh, they will read about it eventually, then we will see a multitude of posts stating that they are killing babys for this medical procedure.

 

[eagleseven]

Only 12% of Americans oppose stem-cell research, hence the issue is fading away.

 

[konradv]

Only 12% of Americans oppose stem-cell research, hence the issue is fading away.

But they're usually a very vocal 12%, hence my surprise!

 

[eagleseven]

It's hard to argue against curing paraplegics and the blind.

 

[konradv]

It's hard to argue against curing paraplegics and the blind.

It was also very hard to argue that Terry Schiavo wasn't brain-dead, but people did anyway, including a doctor in Congress that never even examined her. He should have known better, but was blinded by his political bias.

 

[sahlie]

Stem cells hold potential for treating spinal cord injuries. Based on the findings from a large number of animal studies, scientists are working on the ways that stem cells may contribute to spinal cord repair: stem cells may be used to replace the nerve cells that have died as a result of the injury; Stem cells may be used to generate new supporting cells that will re-form the insulating nerve sheath (myelin) and stimulate re-growth of damaged nerves; When introduced into the spinal cord shortly after injury, stem cells may protect the cells at the injury site from further damage, by releasing protective factors.
http://www.eurostemcell.org/faq/what-can-stem-cells-do-spinal-cord-injuries Meister