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Grow Your Own Heart Valves

Posted by samzenpus on from the congen-circulatory-sphincters dept.

jcr writes "Medical researchers in Britain have succeeded in growing a heart valve from adult stem cells taken from bone marrow. The research is being reported in the journal of the Royal Society today. Growing a heart value from your own cells means that tissue rejection isn't an issue."

6 of 180 comments (clear)

  1. Whole heart next? by crow · · Score: 4, Interesting

    So how far does this leave us from growing a whole heart? Or other organs?

    At some point, transplants from donors will be for emergencies only, and the shortages and wait lists will be a thing of the past.

    1. Re:Whole heart next? by Dausha · · Score: 3, Interesting

      "Embryonic stemm (sic) cells however can change into anything, without any modification. They are much easier to work with, and as of a couple of years ago they were the only option."

      However, left to his own devices in his native environment, a human embryo will develop into an autonomous human. You are taking a life and converting it into property without giving that life a chance to decide.How does harvesting an embryo not equate to slavery? We Americans fought a war over this 150 years ago, and I find it amazing that, by changing the perception of "when life begins," some Americans think it's okay. I would have less problem with embryonic stem cells _if_ the embryo were not destroyed.

      The promise of adult stem cells has yet to be fully explored, and I'm glad research is bearing fruit and receiving media attention. As you say, embryonic cells are potentially easier to deal with. Managing slaves is easier than working with a union; but which is more moral?

      --
      What those who want activist courts fear is rule by the people.
    2. Re:Whole heart next? by crow · · Score: 2, Interesting

      If you want to save your child's stem cells for their own use later, don't you preserve the umbilical cord?

      Yup:

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbilical_cord (warning: some not-so-pretty pictures)

      Check out the section on cord blood.

  2. Yeah! by bigattichouse · · Score: 3, Interesting

    As the owner of a slightly defective valve, I feel encouraged that when the time comes, I'll have my own supply of spare parts. (Or will be able to use loaners while mine are being grown.) Good work, folks!

    --
    meh
  3. Silly question, but... by FlyByPC · · Score: 3, Interesting

    ...won't this be a problem if there's a genetic defect in the patient's heart valves? In other words, won't the replacement be following the same DNA blueprint, and have the same problems?

    IANanMD, but I would think this would pose problems with usability, wouldn't it?

    --
    Paleotechnologist and connoisseur of pretty shiny things.
  4. Yay heart valves by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    As a person born with a bicuspid Aorta valve (In other words, my Aorta valve, the valve that pumps blood to most of the body, has two flaps instead of three) this excites me greatly. Since I was born I've had to live every year with the possibility that I would have to have a mechanical implant if I ever overexerted my heart. I truly, truly hope that this caches on, not just for me but for the 1 in 300 (According to my cardiologist the number is that high) people who have the same or similar conditions to me.

    Praise science!