We are all member s of the same body...!! if the heart says to the body I can't function, then the marrow takes over...!!!
NEWS
Country ahead in stem cell research, say scientists
Ahmedabad, January 5: While scientists around the world debate the ethical issues surrounding use of stem cells for medical treatment, India has already taken lead in this direction and has conducted the world’s biggest and most successful adult stem cell experiment, say scientists.
Dr D Balasubramaniam, director of Hyderabad’s L V Prasad Eye Institute, who is in Ahmedabad to attend the 92nd Indian Science Congress, says, ‘‘The LV Prasad Eye Institute has been into adult stem cell research for the last six years and doctors at the hospital have successfully reconstructed over 160 damaged retinas using stem cells.’’
Scientists have been successful in taking adult stem cells from the limbus of the eye and using them to reconstruct the damaged outer surface of the eye, he says.
Dr Balasubramaniam also claims this is the largest and the most successful stem cell trials in the world.
Similar efforts using stem cells for treating cardiac ailments are being carried out at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore.
Dr Aloke Srivastava from CMC, also here for the Congress says, “The institute is currenlty engaged in trials wherein stem cells from patient’s bone marrow are taken and injected into the damaged portion of his heart. After implant these adult bone marrow cells take over the function of heart muscles.”
Dr Deepika Mohanty, director of Institute of Immuno-Haematology in Mumbai says, “While ethical issues surround the use of embryonic stem cells, we have found a way out and are currently engaged in research on stem cells obtained from the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord blood stem cells have emerged as an ethical and safe option to embryonic stem cells research. And we are also looking at establishing umbilical cord banks in Mumbai and other parts of the country.”
The subject has excited researchers across the world after they knew how to differentiate these stem cells (embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells) into a variety of other cells in the human body.
Doctors soon started believing that these ‘blank cells’ can be developed into cells of the heart, brain, skin and bones and go a long way in finding cures for many serious diseases.
“There is the ethical issue of raising expectations of patients when we ourselves are uncertain of the results with stem cells. We do not want to go around claiming that the technique is perfected unless we get positive and replicable results in clinical trails,” said Dr Willam Wijns who heads the stem cell research programme in Belgium.
But according to Dr Balasubramaniam the issue is not disturbing scientists here. “There are no ethical issues in the work. We have proved that it works.”
Country ahead in stem cell research, say scientists
Ahmedabad, January 5: While scientists around the world debate the ethical issues surrounding use of stem cells for medical treatment, India has already taken lead in this direction and has conducted the world’s biggest and most successful adult stem cell experiment, say scientists.
Dr D Balasubramaniam, director of Hyderabad’s L V Prasad Eye Institute, who is in Ahmedabad to attend the 92nd Indian Science Congress, says, ‘‘The LV Prasad Eye Institute has been into adult stem cell research for the last six years and doctors at the hospital have successfully reconstructed over 160 damaged retinas using stem cells.’’
Scientists have been successful in taking adult stem cells from the limbus of the eye and using them to reconstruct the damaged outer surface of the eye, he says.
Dr Balasubramaniam also claims this is the largest and the most successful stem cell trials in the world.
Similar efforts using stem cells for treating cardiac ailments are being carried out at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore.
Dr Aloke Srivastava from CMC, also here for the Congress says, “The institute is currenlty engaged in trials wherein stem cells from patient’s bone marrow are taken and injected into the damaged portion of his heart. After implant these adult bone marrow cells take over the function of heart muscles.”
Dr Deepika Mohanty, director of Institute of Immuno-Haematology in Mumbai says, “While ethical issues surround the use of embryonic stem cells, we have found a way out and are currently engaged in research on stem cells obtained from the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord blood stem cells have emerged as an ethical and safe option to embryonic stem cells research. And we are also looking at establishing umbilical cord banks in Mumbai and other parts of the country.”
The subject has excited researchers across the world after they knew how to differentiate these stem cells (embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells) into a variety of other cells in the human body.
Doctors soon started believing that these ‘blank cells’ can be developed into cells of the heart, brain, skin and bones and go a long way in finding cures for many serious diseases.
“There is the ethical issue of raising expectations of patients when we ourselves are uncertain of the results with stem cells. We do not want to go around claiming that the technique is perfected unless we get positive and replicable results in clinical trails,” said Dr Willam Wijns who heads the stem cell research programme in Belgium.
But according to Dr Balasubramaniam the issue is not disturbing scientists here. “There are no ethical issues in the work. We have proved that it works.”
It seems instead of using embryonic stem cell ( which involves foetuses and is the centre of the controversy) , multipotent or adult stem cells can be used to regenerate lost or impaired adult tissue. This is definite + for stem cell research and India has scored admirably in this respect - Hip Hip hurray!
2 comments:
This is great news! I had no idea that there were more options. You just hear the words 'stem cell research' and I automatically associated it with embryonic ones. Why even consider the contrary when there are so many other options! Hooray for India for moving beyond the center of this controversy to come up with options!
I like the cartoon. The stem cell research is good news for us all.
hope Ruth and baby are doing well.
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