Thursday, September 27, 2007

Adult stem cells helping to treat paralyzed patients - where's the press coverage?

Nowhere that I can find. Here's a press release from PrimeCell™ Therapeutics LLC announcing researchers in Ecuador have used stem cells from bone marrow in patients' hip bones to successfully restore function in paralyzed patients. One patient had been paralyzed for 22 years!
Of the 25 patients who provided more than three months and up to 14 months follow up: 15 gained the ability to stand up, 10 could walk on the parallels with braces, seven could walk without braces and five could walk with crutches. Three patients recovered full bladder control, and 10 patients regained some form of sexual function. No adverse events or abnormal reactions to implantation were observed.
Imagine for a second the press coverage this would get if embryonic stem cells were the cells that were helping paralyzed patients walk with assistance and regain bladder control.

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