German researchers have found that injecting adult stem cells into the coronary artery that is supplying the damaged area of the heart. Those who
recieved the injection showed some improvement in cardiac function
story.news.yahoo.com
LONDON (Reuters) - Adult stem cells taken from bone marrow can improve heart function in patients who have suffered a heart attack, German
researchers said on Friday.
Yahoo! Health
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Stem cells are master cells that can develop into specialized cells. They hold the promise of treating a range of illnesses such as Alzheimer's,
diabetes and heart disease.
But their use is controversial because the most promising stem cells are derived from human embryos.
Dr Helmut Drexler, of the Medical University of Hannover in Germany, used adult stem cells from bone marrow of heart-attack patients to see if they
could improve heart function.
"Our results lend support to the concept that ... bone-marrow cells can be used to enhance ... functional recovery in patients," he said in a report
in The Lancet medical journal.
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Once again the benifits of stem cell research are on the forefront. However, due to pressure from religious zealots, the US government is refusing to
fund or support Stem Cell research. We are in rapid danger of falling behind or worse, becoming dependant on the good graces of private companies for
future advances.
Related AboveTopSecret.com Discussion Threads:
Scotty Has Alzheimers (Why We Need Stem Cell Research)
[edit on 9-7-2004 by John bull 1]
