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Not MS but looks good

Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:17 am
by bromley

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 2:03 am
by CureOrBust
I read the same story regarding the blind mice. The report I read was similar to the one in the link here
....Previous attempts to achieve the same result using undifferentiated stem cells which have not yet acquired a specific function failed......
....Research suggests that human embryonic stem cells could be coaxed to become photoreceptor precursors. However the scientists believe a better approach might be to grow the precursors from adult stem cell-like cells found at the margins of the retina. These could then be transplanted into patients.....
The gist i got was that they failed with stem cells, but could succeed with cells half way there.

On one of the links you provided I also noticed the following related story. Its a very under exciting overview of the status of stem cells (obviously one persons view)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6127772.stm

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 11:48 am
by bromley
Mr Cure,

I was going to post the other article but it rather plays down the potential of stem cells. But I think they are taking this approach because of recent events - stem cell clinics in Holland which have been shut down and the fiasco in South Korea. Professor Scolding in the UK is the one to watch - I'm sure there will be many bumps on the road, but the researchers probably thought the same about heart transplants in the 1950s.

Ian