Major stem cell breakthrough on brain disease
A SAFE treatment for Parkinson’s disease sufferers could be available in as little as three years following new research into stem cell therapy.
Scientists at the world-renowned Roslin Institute, near Edinburgh, have managed for the first time to culture stem cells - which can turn into any kind of human cell from heart to skin - without using animal-derived products, in a development described as "very important" by the Parkinson’s Disease Society.
Other researchers have demonstrated that stem cells from pigs can help reverse symptoms of Parkinson’s disease when implanted in a sufferer’s brain.
However, this carries the risk that the patient will develop a deadly new cross-species disease with potentially devastating consequences - vCJD is a recent example of a fatal new condition originating in animals.
Previously, human stem cells - controversial, as they are usually derived from embryos, angering the pro-life lobby - have been grown in a culture of animal tissue, also risking cross-species contamination.
But Roslin scientists, led by Dr Paul De Sousa, have managed to culture stem cells from donated embryos - which, in this case, are the "surplus" from fertility treatment - in a medium derived from human tissue, the first time this has been done in the world.
http://news.scotsman.com/scitech.cfm?id=270082005
Too bad conservative Christians (George W. Bush) feel using stem cells is the work of the devil....
A SAFE treatment for Parkinson’s disease sufferers could be available in as little as three years following new research into stem cell therapy.
Scientists at the world-renowned Roslin Institute, near Edinburgh, have managed for the first time to culture stem cells - which can turn into any kind of human cell from heart to skin - without using animal-derived products, in a development described as "very important" by the Parkinson’s Disease Society.
Other researchers have demonstrated that stem cells from pigs can help reverse symptoms of Parkinson’s disease when implanted in a sufferer’s brain.
However, this carries the risk that the patient will develop a deadly new cross-species disease with potentially devastating consequences - vCJD is a recent example of a fatal new condition originating in animals.
Previously, human stem cells - controversial, as they are usually derived from embryos, angering the pro-life lobby - have been grown in a culture of animal tissue, also risking cross-species contamination.
But Roslin scientists, led by Dr Paul De Sousa, have managed to culture stem cells from donated embryos - which, in this case, are the "surplus" from fertility treatment - in a medium derived from human tissue, the first time this has been done in the world.
http://news.scotsman.com/scitech.cfm?id=270082005
Too bad conservative Christians (George W. Bush) feel using stem cells is the work of the devil....