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Restoring Sight With Stem Cells: Extraordinary "Before & After" Pictures...

by Thomas
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For those who are tired of reading about "imminent" breakthroughs in medicine that never seem to materialise into real-world usage for helping the sick and injured, check these pictures out: Researchers at the University of Modena (in Italy) have been using stem cells taken from a patient's own body (meaning no ethical or rejection issues arise) for the past 10 years to treat many kinds of sight problems...



To date, they have restored sight to a hundred or so people, some of whom can now see for the first time in 60 years. The success rate is about 75%, though an additional 13% were considered partial successes (since there was some residual 'cloudiness' in their vision).

While the treatment is limited by the fact that there has to be enough stem cells available in at least one of the patients' eyes (meaning that, if both eyes are severely damaged, it may not be possible to use it), it (the limitation) seems to be a result of the still limited understanding of how stem cells actually 'do their thing'. Theoretically, they could be taken from anywhere in the body and, judging by the above results, I, personally, don't think such treatments are a 'million miles away' anymore.

Anyway, great pictures!
  • Profile picture of the author Freeman A
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      Originally Posted by poorman View Post

      Great Post! If the cells were taken from one person, cultured in the lab, and then transferred to another person, then there is something morally wrong with that. However, so far as the cells were taken from the same person, there is nothing morally wrong with it and we should appreciate it.
      Just curious, why do you think it is morally wrong.
      If it's for what you believe to be religious or political, just say 'religious' or 'political' and I'll understand and we won't go any further so we don't brake any rules.

      That's really cool Thomas.
      It's good to see brake troughs like that.
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      • Profile picture of the author Freeman A
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        • Profile picture of the author ThomM
          O.K. I was just wondering, thanks.
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          Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
          Getting old ain't for sissy's
          As you are I was, as I am you will be
          You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.

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    • Profile picture of the author Thomas
      Originally Posted by poorman View Post

      Great Post! If the cells were taken from one person, cultured in the lab, and then transferred to another person, then there is something morally wrong with that. However, so far as the cells were taken from the same person, there is nothing morally wrong with it and we should appreciate it.
      More importantly, since the stem cells being used are from the patient's own body, the possibility of an immune reaction is pretty much zero.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kurt
      Originally Posted by poorman View Post

      Great Post! If the cells were taken from one person, cultured in the lab, and then transferred to another person, then there is something morally wrong with that. However, so far as the cells were taken from the same person, there is nothing morally wrong with it and we should appreciate it.

      Then you're against blood transfusions too, so you need to work on getting them outlawed. After all, a tranfusion means blood cells are taken from one person, processed in a lab, then transferred to another person. How can a person possibly live their life with someone else's blood!

      Since lots of people are going to die, are you willing to be the one to tell them they can't live because you have some belief?
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