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Imagine having your back cut open, part of your spine removed, a stabilizing device that resembles a mini oil rig mounted on your back, the outer membrane of your spinal cord sliced open and experimental stem cells injected into it -- all for the advancement of science because it's not expected to benefit you.
Stem Cell Treatment In Human Trials
Seeded on Tue May 4, 2010 10:34 AM EDT
Article Source: CNN- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (7)
Dr. Jonathan Glass, director of Emory's ALS center, is overseeing the trial. Cornick and two previous patients in the trial are heroes, says Glass, because at this point, the trial will likely produce only information, not results.
"We're testing multiple things: We're testing the safety of the surgery; we're testing the cells; we're testing immunosuppressants[because scientists do not know whether the body will reject the cells]." They are also testing how well Cornick handles this major surgical procedure, says Glass.
"After we're finished with the first 12 or 18 patients we will know whether this is surgery that patients can tolerate."
As he was prepped for surgery, Cornick was hopeful but realistic. "Well, of course you'd like to get up and walk ... but I know that's not going to happen."
- 4 votes
#1 - Tue May 4, 2010 10:37 AM EDTAhha! Stem cell development is long overdue. I am sure that if my grandson were still alive he would be happy to see if this worked.
He died from complications from meningitis about a month ago. Twelve years in a wheel chair are too many. For those who don't really know how stem cells might work but tend to stomp on the research I implore you to take a second look.
- 3 votes
#3 - Tue May 4, 2010 11:16 AM EDTIm sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your story. Putting a human face on an issue makes the whole thing real to people.
- 1 vote
Animal testing also proved very useful when it came to figuring out how to actually inject the stem cells.
Though the animals can't consent.
- 1 vote
#4 - Tue May 4, 2010 12:46 PM EDTVery true, I'm a little torn on this issue myself. I am a large advocate of animal rights, and am not sure where to draw the line for human advancement v animal rights. If there are ways to accomplish these trials without animal testing I am all for it and would rather use that 100%. However if it will advance human kind immensly and there is no other method of accomplishing it, then I think it can be justified. However in extremely small numbers.
- 1 vote
i am stuck in the middle, but i would like to see testing done / completed for medical advances in the future for my children if they would need it
- 1 vote
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