And, guess, what? Once again, the ones used are not embyonic (via Insty)
British scientists have been given the go-ahead to begin potentially ground-breaking experiments using injections of stem cells to repair patients’ damaged hearts. The team hopes to repair the organs of people who have suffered the most severe heart attacks. (snip)
The trial will involve patients with the worst prognosis, those who have scarring on at least half of the left ventricular wall. “It’s the worst heart attack you can have. Most patients just die,” said Ascione.
The team will extract bone marrow from all 60 patients and separate out a class of stem cells that makes up 1% of the tissue. Previous studies have suggested that this cell type is able to regenerate heart muscle cells and blood vessels. By using the patient’s own cells there will be no problems with tissue rejection.
Excellent news. Like Glenn, I hope it works, too.
And all without killing babies.
If the stem cells derived from embryos are considered persons than so is every cell in your body. The DNA content of a skin cell, a stem cell, and a fertilized egg are exactly the same. The only differences among these cells are a result of how the genes in each are expressed.
Nice spin. Not cuttin’ it. There are differences between the types, particularly in when they are gathered. ESCs have been worthless. Ones like placental and adult have been curing diseases. Without the monster tumors associated with ESCs
Teach, it’s not spin. If we can reprogram a skin cell to become an embryonic stem cell then it stands to reason that they are virtually indistinguishable from each other.
If embryonic stem cells turn out to be as useful as scientists think they will, will you change your mind?
Also, why is it wrong to extract stem cells from unused embryos at fertilization clinics which are going to be destroyed anyway?