Team Use Stem Cells to Restore Mobility in Paralyzed Monkey

interval1066 writes "From the article: 'Japanese researchers said Wednesday they had used stem cells to restore partial mobility in a small monkey that had been paralysed from the neck down by a spinal injury.' This is huge news in the world of stem cell research; restoring some muscular control to a simian is a huge step. This means that stem cell therapy is a demonstrably viable path to restoring motility for millions of accident victims, palsy and ms sufferers, the list just goes on."

Comments

Induced pluripotent stem

[makubesu]

So not embryonic stem cells. Everybody wins.

Re:Induced pluripotent stem

[butalearner]

So not embryonic stem cells. Everybody wins.

Except for wheelchair manufacturers.

Re:Induced pluripotent stem

[Hatta]

The cells used in this treatment were derived from adult skin cells. No controversy here. Everyone wins.

The fact that adult stem cells are useful should lead us to believe that embryonic stem cells are useful too. In this way any work on adult stem cells is linked to (the lack of) work on embryonic stem cells. If we can save lives with adult stem cells, what if we could save even more lives with embryonic stem cells? Shouldn't we at least do the research to find out?

Salute.

[sbenson]

"that had been paralysed from the neck down by a spinal injury" -- Bet it wasn't an accident.
I for one wish to honor our little buddy that took one for the team, Not his team, our team, the team two branches over on the evolutionary tree.

Re:Salute.

[OzPeter]

I was thinking that as well. How often do Japanese people run across paralyzed monkeys and then think, "I bet this monkey would be good for stem cell research"

Yes thats correct. They run accross the monkey first, then think, "Yep he is a good candidate for stem cell research!"