Boston researchers have successfully identified a method of regenerating ocular/corneal cells and restoring lost vision utilizing controversial stem cell therapy. According to a recent press release,”This work, a collaboration between the Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Schepens Eye Research Institute (Mass. Eye and Ear), Boston Children’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the VA Boston Healthcare System, provides promise to burn victims, victims of chemical injury and others with damaging eye diseases.” (Leach, 2014)
“This work, a collaboration between the Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Schepens Eye Research Institute (Mass. Eye and Ear), Boston Children’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the VA Boston Healthcare System, provides promise to burn victims, victims of chemical injury and others with damaging eye diseases.” (Leach, 2014)
Additionally, the occasion marks the first known example of a stem cell procedure using cells derived from an adult subject, possibly eliminating one of the most controversial points of stem cell research: the use of embryonic/fetal stem cells. These revolutionary transplants are not without risk, however… Hit the break to learn more!
While stem cell research and transplantation is a revolutionary technology that holds nearly limitless potential for the human race, it can come at a price. One severe side-effect of stem cell transplantation, (while rare), is Ataxia Telangiectasia; This disorder affects many areas of the body and can cause significant disability. The body does not coordinate properly and those who suffer from the disease have a weak immune system as well as problems with their respiratory system.One child, after receiving fetal stem cells, developed all of the aforementioned symptoms as well as several tumors in his spinal cord and brain tissue (Murnaghan, 2014). Which leads one to ask: when experimenting with a new technology, with unknown and possibly monstrous side effects, where does one draw the line? What constitutes “acceptable risk”, and who makes this decision? The moral/ethical implications trouble this author greatly… To say nothing of the possibility of physiological mutation. Guess I better start TiVo’ing “The Walking Dead” again… I didn’t count on zombies with 20/20 vision.
Word to the wise: You’re not paranoid if there really ARE people watching you!
Click here to read the full story, and possible side effects of stem cells:
http://www.masseyeandear.org/news/press_releases/recent/2014_Nature_Growing_Corneas/
http://www.explorestemcells.co.uk/rare-side-effects-stem-cell-therapy.html
Source(s):
Leach, Mary. “Researchers Grow Corneas From Stem Cells.” Researchers Regrow Human Corneas. Harvard Medical School & Massachusetts Eye and Ear, 2 July 2014. Web. 04 July 2014.
Murnaghan, Ian. “Side Effects of Stem Cell Therapy: A Case Study.” ExploreStemCells.co.uk. ExploreStemCells, 28 May 2014. Web. 04 July 2014.
Share this on Facebook
Tweet This!
Share this on del.icio.us
Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
Share this on Reddit
Digg this!
Share this on Tumblr
Get Shareaholic