Paralyzed woman walks again after stem cell therapy - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

phredgreen · 11-29-2004, 02:39 AM

Quote:

as seen here:http://sg.news.yahoo.com/041128/1/3o...l#unbelievable

Sunday November 28, 1:21 PM
Paralyzed woman walks again after stem cell therapy

A South Korean woman paralyzed for 20 years is walking again after scientists say they repaired her damaged spine using stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood.

Hwang Mi-Soon, 37, had been bedridden since damaging her back in an accident two decades ago.

Last week her eyes glistened with tears as she walked again with the help of a walking frame at a press conference where South Korea researchers went public for the first time with the results of their stem-cell therapy.

They said it was the world's first published case in which a patient with spinal cord injuries had been successfully treated with stem cells from umbilical cord blood.

Though they cautioned that more research was needed and verification from international experts was required, the South Korean researchers said Hwang's case could signal a leap forward in the treatment of spinal cord injuries.

The use of stem cells from cord blood could also point to a way to side-step the ethical dispute over the controversial use of embryos in embryonic stem-cell research.

"We have glimpsed at a silver lining over the horizon," said Song Chang-Hoon, a member of the research team and a professor at Chosun University's medical school in the southwestern city of Kwangju.

"We were all surprised at the fast improvements in the patient."

Under TV lights and flashing cameras, Hwang stood up from her wheelchair and shuffled forward and back a few paces with the help of the frame at the press conference here on Thursday.

"This is already a miracle for me," she said. "I never dreamed of getting to my feet again."

Medical research has shown stem cells can develop into replacement cells for damaged organs or body parts. Unlocking that potential could see cures for diseases that are at present incurable, or even see the body generate new organs to replace damaged or failing ones.

So-called "multipotent" stem cells -- those found in cord blood -- are capable of forming a limited number of specialised cell types, unlike the more versatile "undifferentiated" cells that are derived from embroyos.

However, these stem cells isolated from umbilical cord blood have emerged as an ethical and safe alternative to embryonic stem cells.

Clinical trials with embryonic stem cells are believed to be years away because of the risks and ethical problems involved in the production of embryos -- regarded as living humans by some people -- for scientific use.

In contrast, there is no ethical dimension when stem cells from umbilical cord blood are obtained, according to researchers.

Additionally, umbilical cord blood stem cells trigger little immune response in the recipient as embryonic stem cells have a tendency to form tumors when injected into animals or human beings.

For the therapy, multipotent stem cells were isolated from umbilical cord blood, which had been frozen immediately after the birth of a baby and cultured for a period of time.

Then these cells were directly injected to the damaged part of the spinal cord.

"Technical difficulties exist in isolating stem cells from frozen umbilical cord blood, finding cells with genes matching those of the recipient and selecting the right place of the body to deliver the cells," said Han Hoon, president of Histostem, a government-backed umbilical cord blood bank in Seoul.

Han teamed up with Song and other experts for the experiment.

They say that more experiments are required to verify the outcome of the landmark therapy.

"It is just one case and we need more experiments, more data," said Oh Il-Hoon, another researcher.

"I believe experts in other countries have been conducting similar experiments and accumulating data before making the results public."

so there you have it. while the united states will continue to ban it over nonsensical ideological pretenses, the rest of the world is developing miracles through stem cell research. do you know anyone who is dealing with an issue that has been addressed as an issue that may be improved through the use of stem cells? how do you feel about the use of stem cells in medical research? if widespread use of stem cells in medical treatments are finally accepted, where do you think we should obtain the materials necessary to carry out those procedures? please discuss.

superiorrain · 11-29-2004, 03:05 AM

Sounds all good to me thats if it's true of course but in saying that i think that we do have to be careful in how far we want to take stem cell technonolgy. I'm not so concerned with the religious moral apects of the arguement because i think we have the duty to make fellow human lives as good as. However where will it all end, is cloning next - for some reason that bothers me big time.

I know that if i couldn't walk or had a as yet incurable illness then i'd be happy of all the stem cell tech that there is.

isis · 11-29-2004, 03:41 AM

I think science and religion are becoming too big of a conflict. Sure, stem cell research is thought of as 'inhumane' and things by certain groups, but the constant benefit of the research far outweighs moral obligations, I think. Especally if the stem cells are harvested from things such as umbilical cords which don't injure anyone.

The fear that the research will turn into a monstrosity is highly overrated, I think. I'm confident that science will eventually prosper, in this case especially. However, I'm a totally biased science nerd, I'm sure many will disagree with me on this

ratbastid · 11-29-2004, 05:21 AM

It's a darned good thing we don't allow that sort of thing on our shores, boy. Medical miracles? Healing the paralyzed? No sirree. Might lead to abortion.

MSD · 11-29-2004, 05:52 AM

Not to be cynical or anything, but I'll wait until it's published somewhere other than Yahoo News before I trust it. I still give them 0 credibility after that Andy Kaufman story.

DelayedReaction · 11-29-2004, 06:33 AM

More importantly, read the article. The stem cells they used were derived from the umbilical cord, and were NOT embryonic. While I don't condone the ban, I suspect this is actually going to bolster Bush's claim that he was right.

Nefir · 11-29-2004, 07:41 AM

Its always easier to take the moral high road when you are not the one in need of such treatment. When you are a healthy adult male, its always easier to take up a pro-life stance. Not that I don't understand where they're coming from, but in my heart I find no acceptance for this restrictive ideology.

I think its great that the medical science is finally reaching a point where practical results are being seen from such procedures. Christopher Reeve would be so proud.

As for the controversy of using embryonic cells, the moral correctness of this issue hinges on the question of whether human embryos can be considered living human beings, deserving of the same rights as the rest of us. Are we really in a position to decide whether that's the case? Should this assumption allow us to, in effect, exchange the lives of developed human beings, with wisdom, families, and beliefs, for the lives of undeveloped emryos, which neither have these things, nor the things that make us human? But thats a discussion for another forum, I think...

Lebell · 11-29-2004, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DelayedReaction

More importantly, read the article. The stem cells they used were derived from the umbilical cord, and were NOT embryonic. While I don't condone the ban, I suspect this is actually going to bolster Bush's claim that he was right.

CORRECT.

To repeat, BUSH HASN'T BANNED UMBILICAL CORD STEM CELLS.

The article specifically says that this may be a way around the restrictions on aborted fetus stem cell research.

irateplatypus · 11-29-2004, 08:11 AM

these things get political so quickly...

in other news: the raelian cult has cloned a baby.

f6twister · 11-29-2004, 08:33 AM

The University of Wisconsin has been doing stem cell research for a number of years now and are considered one of the most advanced research schools on this subject. Sadly, due to government restrictions, their research has been limited. I think that had they been allowed to do everything they intended, they would have already reached the same level of results as the South Koreans.

I agree with Nefir. My dad died from cancer last year and research has shown that stem cell treatments can almost reverse the entire process, for the most part without chemo or radiation. For those of you who are against the moral dilema you think stem cells cause, wait until your family member could benefit from its treatment and then tell me you don't want its help. Especially if its the difference between life and death.

Lasereth · 11-29-2004, 08:35 AM

Generic comment on how it's cool to walk again!

Generic comment on how we shouldn't act God!

Generic comment about scientific faith!

I think it's freakin awesome. Keep up the good work scientists, you're healing disabled people...that literally gives people another physical chance in life.

-Lasereth

11-29-2004, 08:40 AM

There is a seperation of church and state for a reason. tragic that the church is enough of a majority that they feel they can circumvent that. Babies are alright, but i'll tell you, you can do whatever you want to stem cells if it will consistantly produce effects such as these.

water_boy1999 · 11-29-2004, 11:13 AM

This may be a VERY general assumption, but I doubt there are many naysayers of stem cell research who actually have spinal injuries or some medical issue where it would benefit them.

I think umbilical cord stem cells are a great way to avoid the embryonic issue, although I don't have an issue with it. Cancer runs in my family and I hope that if me or my siblings get it, they have already done enough stem cell research to keep us alive longer.

irateplatypus · 11-29-2004, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinktank

There is a seperation of church and state for a reason. tragic that the church is enough of a majority that they feel they can circumvent that.

this is fundamentally flawed reasoning. there is a clear distinction between effecting policy on religious grounds and doing the same on moral grounds. we grant the state the right to make all manner of moral judgements independent of theological considerations. to argue that the church is circumventing the separation of church and state you must hold that religion is the sole source of moral thought. that position is untenable for obvious reasons.

DelayedReaction · 11-29-2004, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinktank

There is a seperation of church and state for a reason. tragic that the church is enough of a majority that they feel they can circumvent that. Babies are alright, but i'll tell you, you can do whatever you want to stem cells if it will consistantly produce effects such as these.

There is no separation of church and state. The first amendment prevents Congress enacting laws that develop a state religion, or favor one religion over another, but there's nothing preventing a man from using his own beliefs as a guideline for policy. The people elect the leader who they believe will make the best decision, and in this case the majority of people voted for President Bush.

I hate it when people limit science, but science must be tempered with ethics. Personally I feel stem cell research is ethical, but others disagree. Those in charge get to make the decisions, so I don't have much of a choice for the next few years.

mmiller0617 · 11-30-2004, 08:24 AM

It boggles my mind that we have lost our lead in Scientific R&D in most categories since Bush took office. The amount of money that we have taken away from research is staggering and there will be more and more of these stories from other countries before we can get back into the fold.
And this is not a political comment just one that has me worried as science is the way to extend human life, spirituality is the way to extend it after life.

Zeraph · 11-30-2004, 09:05 AM

To that cloning comment above, first off realize you don't own your genes, they belong to the human race. Second, think of them as blue prints, we can build identitical houses and have different families live in each. If you were cloned it'd be just like having a twin, no one is stealing your soul.

It used to be that we needed to focus on raising kids since most people didn't live past 30, and a new kid could mean 1-5 more people that he could produce. Now, it takes so much resources and training to produce a productive member of society as well as already having enough people that we need to concentrate on the successful adults to really move forward as a race. Ill leave it at that.

Ustwo · 11-30-2004, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmiller0617

It boggles my mind that we have lost our lead in Scientific R&D in most categories since Bush took office. The amount of money that we have taken away from research is staggering and there will be more and more of these stories from other countries before we can get back into the fold.
And this is not a political comment just one that has me worried as science is the way to extend human life, spirituality is the way to extend it after life.

Really? Last I heard NIH funding was up.

kurtisj · 11-30-2004, 09:36 AM

i fit helps that much let them use worthless umbilical chords

11-29-2004, 03:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
superiorrain Psycho Location: London	Sounds all good to me thats if it's true of course but in saying that i think that we do have to be careful in how far we want to take stem cell technonolgy. I'm not so concerned with the religious moral apects of the arguement because i think we have the duty to make fellow human lives as good as. However where will it all end, is cloning next - for some reason that bothers me big time. I know that if i couldn't walk or had a as yet incurable illness then i'd be happy of all the stem cell tech that there is. __________________ "The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible." - Arthur C. Clarke

11-29-2004, 06:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
DelayedReaction BFG Builder Location: University of Maryland	More importantly, read the article. The stem cells they used were derived from the umbilical cord, and were NOT embryonic. While I don't condone the ban, I suspect this is actually going to bolster Bush's claim that he was right. __________________ If ignorance is bliss, you must be having an orgasm.

11-29-2004, 07:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
Nefir Junkie Location: Louisville, KY	Its always easier to take the moral high road when you are not the one in need of such treatment. When you are a healthy adult male, its always easier to take up a pro-life stance. Not that I don't understand where they're coming from, but in my heart I find no acceptance for this restrictive ideology. I think its great that the medical science is finally reaching a point where practical results are being seen from such procedures. Christopher Reeve would be so proud. As for the controversy of using embryonic cells, the moral correctness of this issue hinges on the question of whether human embryos can be considered living human beings, deserving of the same rights as the rest of us. Are we really in a position to decide whether that's the case? Should this assumption allow us to, in effect, exchange the lives of developed human beings, with wisdom, families, and beliefs, for the lives of undeveloped emryos, which neither have these things, nor the things that make us human? But thats a discussion for another forum, I think... __________________ You do not use a Macintosh, instead you use a Tandy Kompressor break your glowstick, Kompressor eat your candy Kompressor open jaws, Kompressor release ants Kompressor watch you scream, Because Kompressor does not dance

11-29-2004, 08:11 AM	#9 (permalink)
irateplatypus can't help but laugh Location: dar al-harb	these things get political so quickly... in other news: the raelian cult has cloned a baby. __________________ If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves. ~ Winston Churchill

11-29-2004, 08:33 AM	#10 (permalink)
f6twister Addict	The University of Wisconsin has been doing stem cell research for a number of years now and are considered one of the most advanced research schools on this subject. Sadly, due to government restrictions, their research has been limited. I think that had they been allowed to do everything they intended, they would have already reached the same level of results as the South Koreans. I agree with Nefir. My dad died from cancer last year and research has shown that stem cell treatments can almost reverse the entire process, for the most part without chemo or radiation. For those of you who are against the moral dilema you think stem cells cause, wait until your family member could benefit from its treatment and then tell me you don't want its help. Especially if its the difference between life and death. __________________ A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin

11-29-2004, 03:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
isis Insane Location: In the Woods.	I think science and religion are becoming too big of a conflict. Sure, stem cell research is thought of as 'inhumane' and things by certain groups, but the constant benefit of the research far outweighs moral obligations, I think. Especally if the stem cells are harvested from things such as umbilical cords which don't injure anyone. The fear that the research will turn into a monstrosity is highly overrated, I think. I'm confident that science will eventually prosper, in this case especially. However, I'm a totally biased science nerd, I'm sure many will disagree with me on this

11-29-2004, 05:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	It's a darned good thing we don't allow that sort of thing on our shores, boy. Medical miracles? Healing the paralyzed? No sirree. Might lead to abortion.

11-29-2004, 05:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	Not to be cynical or anything, but I'll wait until it's published somewhere other than Yahoo News before I trust it. I still give them 0 credibility after that Andy Kaufman story.

11-29-2004, 08:35 AM	#11 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	Generic comment on how it's cool to walk again! Generic comment on how we shouldn't act God! Generic comment about scientific faith! I think it's freakin awesome. Keep up the good work scientists, you're healing disabled people...that literally gives people another physical chance in life. -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

11-29-2004, 08:40 AM	#12 (permalink)
thinktank Guest	There is a seperation of church and state for a reason. tragic that the church is enough of a majority that they feel they can circumvent that. Babies are alright, but i'll tell you, you can do whatever you want to stem cells if it will consistantly produce effects such as these.

11-29-2004, 11:13 AM	#13 (permalink)
water_boy1999 Fly em straight! Location: Above and Beyond	This may be a VERY general assumption, but I doubt there are many naysayers of stem cell research who actually have spinal injuries or some medical issue where it would benefit them. I think umbilical cord stem cells are a great way to avoid the embryonic issue, although I don't have an issue with it. Cancer runs in my family and I hope that if me or my siblings get it, they have already done enough stem cell research to keep us alive longer. __________________ Doh!!!! -Homer Simpson

11-30-2004, 08:24 AM	#16 (permalink)
mmiller0617 Upright Location: Silver Spring, MD	It boggles my mind that we have lost our lead in Scientific R&D in most categories since Bush took office. The amount of money that we have taken away from research is staggering and there will be more and more of these stories from other countries before we can get back into the fold. And this is not a political comment just one that has me worried as science is the way to extend human life, spirituality is the way to extend it after life.

11-30-2004, 09:05 AM	#17 (permalink)
Zeraph Banned Location: The Cosmos	To that cloning comment above, first off realize you don't own your genes, they belong to the human race. Second, think of them as blue prints, we can build identitical houses and have different families live in each. If you were cloned it'd be just like having a twin, no one is stealing your soul. It used to be that we needed to focus on raising kids since most people didn't live past 30, and a new kid could mean 1-5 more people that he could produce. Now, it takes so much resources and training to produce a productive member of society as well as already having enough people that we need to concentrate on the successful adults to really move forward as a race. Ill leave it at that.

11-30-2004, 09:36 AM	#19 (permalink)
kurtisj Insane Location: The Wick	i fit helps that much let them use worthless umbilical chords __________________ Marvin the Mountie Always Gets His Kurtisj.