Posted on 04/18/2009 9:44:59 PM PDT by chevydude26
BRITISH scientists have developed the world’s first stem cell therapy to cure the most common cause of blindness. Surgeons predict it will become a routine, one-hour procedure that will be generally available in six or seven years’ time.
The treatment involves replacing a layer of degenerated cells with new ones created from embryonic stem cells. It was pioneered by scientists and surgeons from the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London and Moorfields eye hospital.
This week Pfizer, the world’s largest pharmaceutical research company, will announce its financial backing to bring the therapy to patients.
The treatment will tackle age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of blindness. It affects more than 500,000 Britons and the number is forecast to increase significantly as people live longer. The disease involves the loss of eye cells.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
This is probably the first time embryonic stem cells have ever worked for something
But if your optic nerve is shot you have no hope in the world
I wouldn’t take it as truth until I saw a second source. The media for years has confused the issue by implying that pro-lifers were against stem cell research, when most of us just oppose embryonic stem cell research. Given that they can’t get a story straight, you might want to wait for a definitive statement.
I have no idea what an “eye cell” is, but even if they are able to cultivate intact retinal tissue (exceedingly complex in and of itself), what miracle of neurosurgery is going to make the millions of nerve connections to the nerve fiber layer, or more centrally, the optic nerve?
The only thing that has happened with embryonic stem cell research is that people have developed cancer.
000000000000000000% of anything happening.
i’m almost certain there have been claims of this working only for it never to come into fruition
The real healings are coming from adult stem cells.
“The treatment will tackle age-related macular degeneration (AMD)”
Which seems to be a preventable nutritional deficiency disease.
“The National Eye Institute’s Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) found that taking a specific high-dose formulation of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduces the risk of advanced AMD and its associated vision loss. Slowing AMD’s progression from the intermediate stage to the advanced stage will save the vision of many people.
Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS)
What is the dosage of the AREDS formulation?
The specific daily amounts of antioxidants and zinc used by the study researchers were 500 milligrams of vitamin C, 400 International Units of vitamin E, 15 milligrams of beta-carotene (often labeled as equivalent to 25,000 International Units of vitamin A), 80 milligrams of zinc as zinc oxide, and two milligrams of copper as cupric oxide. Copper was added to the AREDS formulation containing zinc to prevent copper deficiency anemia, a condition associated with high levels of zinc intake.”
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts.asp
Eggs are good, too:
http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/136/10/2519
If the Left wants to lie about the wonders of embryonic stem cells, they would be wise to select a less complex and miraculous organ than the human eye.
In a world flush with God’s miracles, the eye stands apart as a near incomprehensible marvel of engineering, biochemistry and wondrous physiology.
I’m blessed to see it every day.
I’ll bite.
So how do they stop the cells from growing?
Amen.
AMD is identified as a metabolic disorder with iron over load as a cofactor. Replacing the dead cells with new ones is likely to be a temporarty benefit if the underlying causation is not dealt with.
They’re expecting it to somehow know how to grow back together.
wonder if they’ll ever tell how many cases of eye cancer occurs afterward.
this smacks of liberal propaganda, The scientist I know say that embryonic stems cells are proving next to impossible to control.
or
For all we know, there may be three eyed people in the near future.
Hmm appears I didn't answer your question.
From deep in the article (paragraph 8):
Laboratory trials completed by the British team have demonstrated that stem cells can prevent blindness in rats with a similar disease to AMD. They have also successfully tested elements of the technology in pigs.
In other words, they haven't tried it on humans yet. this is just more propaganda bullsh*t
I just feel sorry for the first (and probably only) human guinea pig. Cancer near the optic nerve...probably quickly traveling toward the brain, is no way to go. If a person wants to commit suicide, I would think a bullet would be a whole lot faster and less painful.
Be (very) suspicious of ANY medical cure that’s ‘going to be available in 6 years’. Next week, maybe. Two weeks, no.
here’s a similar article from Fox last year about a treatment they’re already selling at a clinic in China — apparently this little girl from Missouri went out there.
Blind Girl, 8, Sees Colors After Stem Cell Treatments
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,405505,00.html
oh, looks like those Chinese treatments I posted earlier could just be a scam on western visitors for $20k/each. (who could’ve guessed??)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88123868
but this formerly blind guy is for real and can actually see colors and movements, thanks to stem cell transplants from a 3-year old:
Blind Man Sees (FNC Video, Dec 4 2008)
A man who has been blind for 43 years can now see thanks to a life changing surgery
http://www.foxnews.com/video-search/m/21594397/blind-man-sees.htm
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