Progress in stem cell research!

Last week while watching the news I saw a very interesting story detailing recent advances in stem cell research. The story in particular was about the breakthrough that a group of scientists working in The US Firm of Advanced Cell Technology had made while working with stem cells in order to try and treat diseases of the eye. They relayed that four months ago two patients had received retinal implants, and were currently doing well with no signs of unwanted side effects, or damage.

The treatment took healthy stem cells from one unborn embryo and manipulated these to grow into retinal cells which would line the back of the eye. These cells were then injected into the back of the eye where a healthy retina should be. The cells would then hopefully attach themselves to the eye’s membrane, and would help to restore healthy vision. If this were to work, people with currently incurable diseases such as Stargardt’s would have much improved or even normal vision. This is a disease that causes much blindness in young people.

The aim of this experiment was to trial this method for safety. And so far the results suggest that the treatment is completely safe, and has even improved the patient’s vision slightly. However, experts agree that despite these early signs of success, it is far too early to decide whether this treatment is safe and effective. To accurately provide evidence supporting this could take several years. Furthermore, the use of stem cells in ways such as these are still under scrutiny from certain people who argue that use of the unborn embryo’s stem cells is an unethical practise and should be banned.

I hope you found this as interesting as I did!

Sam