Stem cells delay paralyzing disease

[deadparrot]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Human fetal stem cells can graft onto the spines of rats and delay some of the paralyzing symptoms of motor neuron disease, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, U.S. researchers reported on Monday.

The new cells were resistant to the disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, the researchers said.

A company associated with the researchers is incubating batches of the human cells, taken from an aborted fetus, and hopes to market them as a treatment for several sorts of paralyzing conditions.

"We were extremely surprised to see that the grafted stem cells were not negatively affected by the degenerating cells around them, as many feared introducing healthy cells into a diseased environment would only kill them," said Dr. Vassilis Koliatsos of Johns Hopkins University, who helped lead the study.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061016/hl_nm/science_stemcells_dc

[eleny]

1. I'm speechless

How fantastic.

[bamacrat]

2. I actually recently did a group research project on stem cells.

My part was to argue in favor of stem cell research by showing the possible benefits of it. This was part of my report, it is amazing that people have such a problem with this.

[Auntie Bush]

3. Good for you. That must have been an interesting project.

What would you have done if you had to argue in favor of not doing stem cell research? :shrug:

[aquart]

4. Wonder how much farther along we could have been without George?

Wonder if Chris Reeve could have walked before he died.

[Lurking Dem]

6. Wayback machine

http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/01/08/27_worth.html

[tblue37]

9. If he could have walked, he would not have died. (eom)

[Frustratedlady]

5. That is great news that they are even working on it.

My husband died of ALS and it was so frustrating to see that there was little interest in the disease, except for the ALS Association. Not that many people are affected, so it is one of those orphan diseases that gets little attention, especially by the drug companies. The medicine is beyond reach, financially, and the pills were so large, he couldn't swallow them. Swallowing is one of the main problems with ALS, so wouldn't you think they would take that into consideration? Since they were time-release, they couldn't be crushed. We felt like we were alone in the fight.

Now, if Bush would get out of the way, maybe others wouldn't have to suffer this horrible disease.

[Ilsa]

7. Those of us who have provided nursing care for ALS patients

understand your pain and frustration, even though we realize we don't have to live with it every day -- we go home. I hope your life has recovered somewhat after such a difficult and long ordeal. Peace and Blessings to you.

My daily frustration and battle and depression is over autism, a moderately severe case. We get no relief. We have nothing like a normal life, which is particularly sad for our younger son. There are probably some similarities, especially with regards to getting help, respite, and medication.

[Frustratedlady]

11. Thanks for your kind words.

Have you ever heard of the study and practice of only serving foods which are free of some preservative in it...wish I could remember the name of it...and the good results they are getting? I know of one mother in Illinois who has worked with the major food corporations to provide canned foods without this "stuff" and they have done so. If you are interested, I can get some information about it and email it to you. I believe there is also an autism group a friend of mine is on which has been very helpful for her.

I hope my memory is correct, but you never know. <sigh>

[Ilsa]

12. Yeah, The Feingold Diet is pretty good.

We don't do it anymore, but I try to stay away from the BHA, THBQ, BHT, and the art colors and flavors. Nasty stuff! But some sneaks into our diets any way. My son seems more sensitive to developing hypoglycemia, so I work/feed to maintain his blood glucose.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

8. how DARE they interfere with ratgod's plans?

This cure is truly the work of S A T A N ! We must ban this technology, else these rats will never undergo their tiny little ratRapture at the end of time.
Just think of all those rats unable to get into ratheaven. It is ratGod's will that they suffer for their rat-sins on earth. The WRATH of RATGOD will be upon them!

[noonwitch]

10. I have a "pro life" friend whose dad died of ALS

I'm curious as to what she thinks about this development.

But what a development for science. This is an agonizing, hopeless disease, and now there's hope!

I wonder if stem cells would also help people with MS.

[KAZ]

13. And Republicans delay curing paralyzing diseases.

Because that's what Jesus would have wanted.