MR

Scientists plan stem cell cure for blindness
By Ben Hirschler Tue Jun 5, 4:07 PM ET
LONDON (Reuters) - British scientists plan to use stem cells to cure a common form of blindness, with the first patients receiving test treatment in five years.


The pioneering project, launched on Tuesday, aims to repair damaged retinas with cells derived from human embryonic stem cells. Its backers say it involves simple surgery that could one day become as routine as cataract operations.

They believe the technique is capable of restoring vision in the vast majority of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness among the elderly that afflicts around 14 million people in Europe.

Some drugs, like Genentech Inc.'s Lucentis, can help the one in 10 patients with so-called "wet" AMD and U.S. biotech firm Advanced Cell Technology is looking at stem cells in other eye conditions. But there is no treatment for the 90 percent with "dry" AMD.

AMD is caused by faulty retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, which form a supporting carpet under the light-sensitive rods and cones in the retina.

The new procedure will generate replacement RPE cells from stem cells in the lab, with surgeons then injecting a small patch of new cells, measuring 4 by 6 millimeters, back into the eye.

U.S. DONOR

The London Project to Cure AMD brings together scientists from University College London (UCL), Moorfields Eye Hospital in London and the University of Sheffield.

It has been made possible by a 4 million pounds ($8 million) donation from an anonymous U.S. donor, who the project's leaders said had become frustrated by U.S. curbs on stem cell work.

Embryonic stem cells are the ultimate master cells of the body, giving rise to all of the tissues and organs. Their use is controversial because many people oppose embryo destruction, although Britain has encouraged such research.

Surgeons at Moorfields have already restored the vision of a few patients using cells harvested from their own eyes, which were moved to a new site. But this process is complicated and only a small number of cells can be moved, limiting its use.

By injecting RPE cells derived from stem cells instead, Dr Lyndon Da Cruz of Moorfields hopes the operation can be reduced to a simple 45-minute procedure under local anesthetic.

"If it hasn't become routine in about 10 years it would mean we haven't succeeded," he told reporters. "It has to be something that's available to large numbers of people."

Similar tests on rats have already proved highly effective.

Pete Coffey of UCL, the director of the project, said he was confident the procedure would work in humans but the team needed to ensure the safety and quality of batches of cells, which would take time.

"The goal is within five years to have a cohort of 10 or 12 patients to put the cells into," he said.

The project, which is non-commercial, was welcomed by patient support groups. Alistair Fielder of the eye research charity Fight for Sight said it represented a real chance to tackle a hitherto untreatable condition.

Things like this have been touted before and fallen through. I wouldn't put any faith in this at all at this point.

conversationpc wrote:Things like this have been touted before and fallen through. I wouldn't put any faith in this at all at this point.

You're right...at least until someone else takes over the Whitehouse.

conversationpc wrote:Things like this have been touted before and fallen through. I wouldn't put any faith in this at all at this point.

Anyone care to look up all the break thoughs of cord blood, adult stem cells...etc. As opposed to the grand total of ZERO breakthroughs of embyonic stem cells.

RockinDeano wrote:

conversationpc wrote:Things like this have been touted before and fallen through. I wouldn't put any faith in this at all at this point.

You're right...at least until someone else takes over the Whitehouse.

Another in a long line of liberal lies. Bush has not banned nor supported a ban on the existing line of fetal stem cells, as far as I know.

As Raider Fan pointed out, the research into cord blood and adult stem cells seems to be infinitely more promising than fetal stem cell research.

conversationpc wrote:

RockinDeano wrote:

conversationpc wrote:Things like this have been touted before and fallen through. I wouldn't put any faith in this at all at this point.

You're right...at least until someone else takes over the Whitehouse.

Another in a long line of liberal lies. Bush has not banned nor supported a ban on the existing line of stem cells, as far as I know.

As Raider Fan pointed out, the research into cord blood and adult stem cells seems to be infinitely more promising than fetal stem cell research.

Bush didn't have to veto or ban anything. the moronic GOP Congress killed anything remotely stem cell research before it even had a chance to save a life.

Fucking conservative idiots.

conversationpc wrote:

RockinDeano wrote:

conversationpc wrote:Things like this have been touted before and fallen through. I wouldn't put any faith in this at all at this point.

You're right...at least until someone else takes over the Whitehouse.

Another in a long line of liberal lies. Bush has not banned nor supported a ban on the existing line of stem cells, as far as I know.

As Raider Fan pointed out, the research into cord blood and adult stem cells seems to be infinitely more promising than fetal stem cell research.

Bush is the only president who's authorized the use of federal funds on embryonic stem cell research.

RockinDeano wrote:

conversationpc wrote:Things like this have been touted before and fallen through. I wouldn't put any faith in this at all at this point.

You're right...at least until someone else takes over the Whitehouse.

Why is it up to the White House? There is no ban on stem cell research. If there was really so much hope for miraculous cures to everything, I'm sure private industry would be falling all over themselves to get a piece of that pie.

Get a clue Barb.

You sound as dumb as the president at times.

RockinDeano wrote:Get a clue Barb.

You sound as dumb as the president at times.

Explain then. Why is this ground breaking research exclusively dependent on federal funding? I'm curious. Humor me, I'm dumb.

RockinDeano wrote:Get a clue Barb.

You sound as dumb as the president at times.

Barb is absolutely correct. The only ban is on federal funding of fetal stem cell research. Private industry is still able to do so at their own cost, are they not?

RockinDeano wrote:

conversationpc wrote:

RockinDeano wrote:

conversationpc wrote:Things like this have been touted before and fallen through. I wouldn't put any faith in this at all at this point.

You're right...at least until someone else takes over the Whitehouse.

Another in a long line of liberal lies. Bush has not banned nor supported a ban on the existing line of stem cells, as far as I know.

As Raider Fan pointed out, the research into cord blood and adult stem cells seems to be infinitely more promising than fetal stem cell research.

Bush didn't have to veto or ban anything. the moronic GOP Congress killed anything remotely stem cell research before it even had a chance to save a life.

Fucking conservative idiots.

You're the loser in this argument. Sorry. Game-set-match.

Liberal morons.

Barb wrote:

RockinDeano wrote:Get a clue Barb.

You sound as dumb as the president at times.

Explain then. Why is this ground breaking research exclusively dependent on federal funding? I'm curious. Humor me, I'm dumb.

Because it is research. It's NOT a slam dunk. Companies are less likely to take a chance with their own money for onbvious reasons. Hell, let's play the God card, and not try to help save alzheimers, MS, and other diseases. Yeah, God...cool

Barb wrote:

RockinDeano wrote:

conversationpc wrote:Things like this have been touted before and fallen through. I wouldn't put any faith in this at all at this point.

You're right...at least until someone else takes over the Whitehouse.

Why is it up to the White House? There is no ban on stem cell research. If there was really so much hope for miraculous cures to everything, I'm sure private industry would be falling all over themselves to get a piece of that pie.

Good point. Evil business would surely be the first in line to reap the profits of embryonic stem cell research. Yet libs want federal cash shoved down the drain when far more promise and private funds are going to other forms of stem cell research. Typical "we must do it to make ourselves feel better" dispite the science or facts mentality.

conversationpc wrote:

RockinDeano wrote:Get a clue Barb.

You sound as dumb as the president at times.

Barb is absolutely correct. The only ban is on federal funding of fetal stem cell research. Private industry is still able to do so at their own cost, are they not?

You know, President Clinton did ban federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Just sayin'.

Barb wrote:

conversationpc wrote:

RockinDeano wrote:Get a clue Barb.

You sound as dumb as the president at times.

Barb is absolutely correct. The only ban is on federal funding of fetal stem cell research. Private industry is still able to do so at their own cost, are they not?

You know, President Clinton did ban federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Just sayin'.

I'm glad you're just sayin', you know, because Deano might have to open a can of whoop ass otherwise. I'm just sayin'...

Haha, I am watching the game. You 4 dopes go ahead and lay down the law. You're gonna need a miracle in 08. I don't see it happening.

Nice work.

RockinDeano wrote:Haha, I am watching the game. You 4 dopes go ahead and lay down the law. You're gonna need a miracle in 08. I don't see it happening.

Nice work.

RockinDeano wrote:Haha, I am watching the game. You 4 dopes go ahead and lay down the law. You're gonna need a miracle in 08. I don't see it happening.

Nice work.

This country probably loses regardless of who wins the next Presidential election, Redumbican or Dummycrat.

conversationpc wrote:

RockinDeano wrote:Haha, I am watching the game. You 4 dopes go ahead and lay down the law. You're gonna need a miracle in 08. I don't see it happening.

Nice work.

This country probably loses regardless of who wins the next Presidential election, Redumbican or Dummycrat.

I don't care if Daffy Duck gets in office, he'll do a better job than Dubya.

LOL. Funny Dave.

It's better than the Republican 5 Pillars:


LIES

DECEIT

CORRUPTION

INCOMPETENCE

COVER UPS

Rick wrote:

conversationpc wrote:

RockinDeano wrote:Haha, I am watching the game. You 4 dopes go ahead and lay down the law. You're gonna need a miracle in 08. I don't see it happening.

Nice work.

This country probably loses regardless of who wins the next Presidential election, Redumbican or Dummycrat.

I don't care if Daffy Duck gets in office, he'll do a better job than Dubya.

You won't get arguments from me about Bush being a bad President but I will say it could have been much worse. At least Gore and Kerry didn't take up residence in the White House.

conversationpc wrote:

Rick wrote:

conversationpc wrote:

RockinDeano wrote:Haha, I am watching the game. You 4 dopes go ahead and lay down the law. You're gonna need a miracle in 08. I don't see it happening.

Nice work.

This country probably loses regardless of who wins the next Presidential election, Redumbican or Dummycrat.

I don't care if Daffy Duck gets in office, he'll do a better job than Dubya.

You won't get arguments from me about Bush being a bad President but I will say it could have been much worse. At least Gore and Kerry didn't take up residence in the White House.

God I wish either Gore or Kerry were in the White House. So does the majority of the country.

RockinDeano wrote:LOL. Funny Dave.

It's better than the Republican 5 Pillars:



CORRUPTION

Funny, whenever a Republican is corrupt they're thrown out before the blink of an eye. William Jefferson - D - LA is still in his seat, when is that corrupt bastard gonna get thrown out Dean. Hypocrit!

RockinDeano wrote:LOL. Funny Dave.

It's better than the Republican 5 Pillars:


LIES

DECEIT

CORRUPTION

INCOMPETENCE

COVER UPS

Sounds like a list taken directly from the freezer of William Jefferson, along with that stash of cold, hard Democratic cash...

What was that Pelosi said about this Democrat congress being different??? Maybe that was just a slip o' the tongue on her part.

That's one. I will say that Jefferson is an asshole.

Dems:

Jefferson

Shall we go through the GOP?

Mark Foley
Libby
Cheney
Wolfowitz
Rumsfeld
AG Gonzalez
Duke Cunningham
James Doolittle
Abranoff
Rove

hmm.....no corruption in this Party is there?

RockinDeano wrote:LOL. Funny Dave.

It's better than the Republican 5 Pillars:


LIES

DECEIT

COVER UPS

How about your boy Sandy Berger stealing documents from the National Archives and destroying them? Hypocrit!
Here politicians take more of my money. We trust you with our health care and every facet of our lives mister politicians!!! Rediculous and sad

You know what's more terrifying to me than Al Qaeda?


People who still support Bush.


That kind of ignorance is what is going to destroy this country.

RockinDeano wrote:That's one. I will say that Jefferson is an asshole.

Dems:

Jefferson

Shall we go through the GOP?

Mark Foley
Libby
Cheney
Wolfowitz
Rumsfeld
AG Gonzalez
Duke Cunningham
James Doolittle
Abranoff
Rove

hmm.....no corruption in this Party is there?

Again why would you want to give more money to corrupt politicians regardless of party. That is certifiably insane!!!

RockinDeano wrote:That's one. I will say that Jefferson is an asshole.

Dems:

Jefferson

Shall we go through the GOP?

Mark Foley
Libby
Cheney
Wolfowitz
Rumsfeld
AG Gonzalez
Duke Cunningham
James Doolittle
Abranoff
Rove

hmm.....no corruption in this Party is there?

You're arguing with yourself on this one. No one ever said there weren't corrupt Republicans. Do the research and I'm sure you'll find just as many, possibly more, Dummycrats just as guilty.