I see they are getting closer to using our brain cells.
Posted on 10/14/2008 9:46:39 AM PDT by billorites
Cells taken from men's testicles seem as versatile as the stem cells derived from embryos, researchers reported Wednesday in what may be yet another new approach in a burgeoning scientific field.
The new type of stem cells could be useful for growing personalized replacement tissues, according to a study in Thursday's issue of the journal Nature. But because of their source, their highest promise would apply to slightly less than half the world's population: men.
Stem cells can give rise to virtually any tissue in the body and scientists believe they may offer treatments for diseases like Parkinson's and diabetes and for spinal cord injuries.
The testicular cells avoid the ethical dilemma of embryonic stem cells, which are harvested in a process that destroys the embryos. Some people, including President George W. Bush, oppose their use for ethical or religious reasons.
"The advantage these cells have in comparison to embryonic stem cells is that there is no ethical problem with these cells and that they are natural," said study lead author Thomas Skutella, a professor at the Centre for Regenerative Biology and Medicine in Tuebingen, Germany.
Using testicular cells isn't the only promising method that avoids embryos; there have been impressive experiments in reprogramming ordinary body cells into stem cells by slipping certain genes into them.
The new findings and the reprogrammed cells — which still have technical hurdles — "take some pressure off the stem cell issue," said White House science adviser Jack Marburger.
Earlier studies showed promise using so-called spermatogonial cells from the testes of mice. The new study used cells taken from biopsied tissue from 22 different men undergoing various medical treatments. The men ranged in age from 17 to 81.
Researchers found that after a few weeks of growth, the cells could differentiate into various types of cells just like those taken from embryos.
Other scientists hailed the idea as promising, but not a reason to give up on research on embryonic stem cells.
"It's exciting. We could do it for males; that leaves women without as easy a method," said stem cell scientist George Daley of Children's Hospital in Boston and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute. He was not part of the new research.
Embryonic stem cells "have their own place in biology," Daley said.
Skutella said a female equivalent could be in women's egg cells, but Daley said that's unlikely because of the makeup of those cells.
Using the new findings to treat patients could take years. But Daley said the work on the cells from testes can benefit from a decade's worth of research into embryonic cells and advance at a fast pace.
He said the new research showed how similar these testicular cells are to embryonic stem cells; now science needs to see what specific differences exist because those could be important.
thought it was please doc take away the pain but leave the swelling.
There was a news story a few months back saying they discovered a way to turn any cell into a stem cell.
Other than causing tumors their only place is in politics.
I see they are getting closer to using our brain cells.
I'm 57 as of last month. To be honest and serious, stem cells have been of great interest to me. ((((NOT & NEVER EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS!))))
The reason is that I'm a quadriplegic (Like the quarterback in "Friday Night Lights") and though I don't hold out that much hope for a cure from stem cells and even if there were a cure, I'm probably past the point it would do me any good...
That said, I was being funny about the sex stuff...have not had any since the 1980s and have in the past several years quit thinking about it...
lol.
One of my bar jokes is telling people I had one testicle shot off and the doctor replaced it with an small onion.
Punch line: “Works great but I get aroused every time I walk by a hamburger stand.”
Does it bring a tear to someone’s eye?
I want to volunteer a couple of people....
“Does it bring a tear to someone’s eye?”
Yea but I relish it.
On buns?
well keep yer chin up, my friend! it takes character to refuse to participate in the embryonic stem cell hoax when it can impact you directly.
my hat is off to you.
FWIW, Rush had this story as his morning update yesterday.
Where DO they get these nutty ideas?
Pumpernickel.
You owe me a keyboard and monitor.
Any chance these testicles came out of Hillary’s lockbox?
/Polite golf clap for AC/DC reference.
Reading this article made me cross my legs!
Now the exploitation of men and treating them as sexual objects will increase to extreme degrees. They first came after our sperm, then they came after our our stem cells and now want our testicles?
Better not sign that organ donation card.
You may become a part of a feminonazi arcane harvest.
Want summa dis?
Get in line you ghouls, and take it on in the old fashioned way!
Just marry the right person, and be smart about it.
You want the cell? You get the stem.
LOL.
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