America is trialling it, Barack Obama is about to endorse it, Scottish doctors think it could cure a form of blindness, and a toddler is going all the way to China for it. Over the last month, it's been hard to miss all the news stories about stem cell therapy. We know that therapies based on stem cells are likely to be extremely beneficial to all sorts of disabled people in the future, but where are we with it all right now? I think it's time for a bit of a recap ...
What is stem cell therapy?
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells - lacking qualities that make them different or unique - which are capable of developing into any of the 200 different types of cell in the human body. They are derived from embryos, from the umbilical cord or, with greater difficulty, from the scarce stem cells in adults or children.
Stem cells can be used to grow tissues for transplantation - for example, heart muscle or brain cells or liver cells. They can also be used as models for disease, which can then be used in research - meaning better knowledge or less reliance on animal experimentation. This has recently been achieved for spinal muscular atrophy.
Stem cells can be used to grow tissues for transplantation - for example, heart muscle or brain cells or liver cells. They can also be used as models for disease, which can then be used in research - meaning better knowledge or less reliance on animal experimentation. This has recently been achieved for spinal muscular atrophy.
Who might be helped by these therapies?
People who have diseases or impairments which are caused by tissue damage or degeneration can potentially be helped by stem cell therapy. For example, people with diabetes, liver disease and Parkinson's, maybe even people with spinal cord injury.
A new trial is ex
A new trial is ex
Most of these therapies are only at the stage of initial trials in humans - for example, studies on corneal blindness and spinal cord injury are just starting.Does it work?Stem cell treatments have been successful in treating Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID) a
nd a few other conditions in research settings. While stem cell therapy sounds good in theory, in practice it is very hard to grow specific cell types and control their growth safely. The children cured of SCID went on to contract a form of leukaemia. Research continues to understand why, and to improve safety and effectiveness.
When might therapies be available?
The first clinical trial of an embryonic stem cell therapy has just been authorised by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Clinical trials can take up to 10 years, so even if a therapy is shown to be successful, scientists or pharmaceutical companies then have to prove that it is safe. Animal trials have shown that therapies for spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy and other conditions have great potential, but effective treatments are still a long way off. Therapies may be beneficial in the early days after a spinal cord injury, but not benefit those who have been injured for a long time.
Clinical trials can take up to 10 years, so even if a therapy is shown to be successful, scientists or pharmaceutical companies then have to prove that it is safe. Animal trials have shown that therapies for spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy and other conditions have great potential, but effective treatments are still a long way off. Therapies may be beneficial in the early days after a spinal cord injury, but not benefit those who have been injured for a long time.
What's the ethical issue here?
Embryonic stem cell therapy depends on destroying embryos - usually surplus embryos from IVF treatment. Those who believe that life starts at conception will equate this to murder. The Vatican reaffirmed its opposition to embryonic stem cell research in December, but permits research using adult stem cells.
Another controversy is over somatic cell nuclear transfer, otherwise known as therapeutic cloning, which would enable stem cell tissues to be matched to the patient, but bring us closer to the possibility of reproductive cloning.
Under President Bush, creation of new embryonic stem cell lines was forbidden in America. President Obama is expected to permit a more liberal approach to research.
Another controversy is over somatic cell nuclear transfer, otherwise known as therapeutic cloning, which would enable stem cell tissues to be matched to the patient, but bring us closer to the possibility of reproductive cloning.
Under President Bush, creation of new embryonic stem cell lines was forbidden in America. President Obama is expected to permit a more liberal approach to research.
What's the political issue?
For those who take a pure social model approach to disability, the problem for disabled people is not their impairment but the barriers and discrimination within society. Stem cell therapy is offered as a cure for disability, whereas activists often deny their need or desire for cure.
Moreover, promises of scientific breakthroughs and wonderful medical treatments have been made for over fifty years, and there is scepticism about the current stem cell hyperbole. Superman actor Christopher Reeve was so convinced that stem cell therapy would cure spinal cord injury that he said that barrier removal and disability rights was unnecessary. Most others disagree.
Moreover, promises of scientific breakthroughs and wonderful medical treatments have been made for over fifty years, and there is scepticism about the current stem cell hyperbole. Superman actor Christopher Reeve was so convinced that stem cell therapy would cure spinal cord injury that he said that barrier removal and disability rights was unnecessary. Most others disagree.
So is it just a load of hype?
There is definitely lots of media excitement about stem cell therapy, as well as the occasional irresponsible announcement from a scientist. There are also big commercial interests involved: stories of miraculous stem cell treatments in less regulated countries such as China, Thailand, India and Russia are questionable, with vulnerable consumers being charged an average of 21,500 dollars for unproven therapies.
In Britain, many parents have been encouraged to pay for their infant's umbilical cord blood to be stored in private stem cell banks, with the hope that this might help with future disease. But scientists are sceptical as to whether the promised benefits will materialise.
But despite these negative stories, overall it is fair to say that leading scientists in the UK and US are responsible and very tightly regulated, and that many believe that ultimately this line of research will transform medicine.
You'll see many more news stories in the months and years ahead, so stay tuned for more updates on 'tailor made tissues'.
In Britain, many parents have been encouraged to pay for their infant's umbilical cord blood to be stored in private stem cell banks, with the hope that this might help with future disease. But scientists are sceptical as to whether the promised benefits will materialise.
But despite these negative stories, overall it is fair to say that leading scientists in the UK and US are responsible and very tightly regulated, and that many believe that ultimately this line of research will transform medicine.
You'll see many more news stories in the months and years ahead, so stay tuned for more updates on 'tailor made tissues'.
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