• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

Hope for stroke victims

Silver

Well-known member
Foetal cell hope for stroke victims
Press Association
Tuesday December 5, 2006 6:03 PM


British scientists hope to repair the damaged brains of stroke patients using stem cells from aborted foetuses, it has been reported.

The UK biotech company ReNeuron is seeking permission for trials from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates American research.

They will involve taking stem cells from the developing brain area of a 12-week aborted foetus and implanting them into patients, according to an exclusive report from the BBC.

Stem cells are immature cells that have not yet been "programmed" with a function. The cells to be used in the stroke trials will have started on their journey towards becoming neurons, and possess the ability to generate new brain tissue.

Rats paralysed by strokes regained movement when similar foetal stem cells were injected into their brains.

Dr Eric Miljan, head of stem cell discovery at ReNeuron, whose headquarters are in Guildford, Surrey, said: "We're very excited. There have been a battery of tests. There have been a series of animal safety experiments, and they work. We feel that we are ready to go into patient trials."

The company is seeking approval for trials on 12 stroke patients which, if given the go-ahead, could begin early next year. However the FDA must be sure the trials will be safe and worthwhile. In particular it will look closely at a crucial part of the treatment which involves genetically modifying the foetal stem cells.

Joe Korner, spokesman for the Stroke Association, said: "This is very interesting. The Holy Grail for stroke research has been to find a way of regenerating the damaged part of the brain. Until now it has been thought that the damage was irreversible."

The company claims it can produce unlimited numbers of stem cells from just one foetal tissue sample. It hopes this will reduce the anticipated objections from anti-abortion groups.

But John Smeeton, director of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, described the research as "sick". He told the BBC: "It involves cannibalising an unborn child. It's unethical in every way - killing one member of the human race to help another. We are totally opposed to this."

© Copyright Press Association Ltd 2006, All Rights Reserved.
 

Maple Leaf Angus

Well-known member
The company claims it can produce unlimited numbers of stem cells from just one foetal tissue sample. It hopes this will reduce the anticipated objections from anti-abortion groups.

Sure, this seems like the perfect justification for abortion. Killing off unborn babies and then using their tissue to save an old person who has had their chance at life.

I wonder if the unborn get a chance to sign their donor card.
 

Silver

Well-known member
Not all stroke victims are old. When I was 15 one of my best friends died from one.
Is there no chance that not one single foetus will ever be available for this? ie: mother becomes braindead, can't carry to term. Or hundreds of other scenerios.
These people claim that one foetus is all thats needed. Sounds like a fantastic hope to me.
 

peg4x4

Well-known member
Anyone who's pregnant needs to save the newborns cord blood!! If I could have done that,my daughter would have had ready made stemcells to fight the lymphoma..
 

HAY MAKER

Well-known member
Silver said:
Not all stroke victims are old. When I was 15 one of my best friends died from one.
Is there no chance that not one single foetus will ever be available for this? ie: mother becomes braindead, can't carry to term. Or hundreds of other scenerios.
These people claim that one foetus is all thats needed. Sounds like a fantastic hope to me.

Silver,I agree there are probably countless instances where mothers can not carry to term.................good luck
 

Latest posts

Top