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"complex" is a good word, Nautikos.
But it is truth that there has been minimal success with embryonic stems while there has been significant documented success with adult stems.
posted by
JanesOpinion
on September 16, 2006 at 11:54 AM
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writersblok, I question whether they used a PET scan on Terri,
which will show actual activity depending on the stimulus.
posted by
JanesOpinion
on September 16, 2006 at 11:53 AM
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Thanks for sharing this, Jane.
However, I think they said Terri Schiavo did show any brain activity in her scans.
posted by
WritersBlok
on September 13, 2006 at 2:49 PM
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Jane,
very interesting! On the other hand, although I am by no means an expert on this issue, I know that this stem cell business is extremely complex. For one thing, there is the connection between stem cells and cancer. As Dr. Sean Morrison, a prominent researcher, observes,
p16INK4a [a specific gene] is a suppressor of stem cell function that evolved as part of the regulatory machinery that also includes proto-oncogenes that encourage cell proliferation. “We are all evolutionarily selected to, on the one hand, maintain regenerative capacity of our tissues through adult life so that we can repair our cells and survive injuries — while on the other hand, limit proliferation in our tissues with age, so cells don't divide out of control, causing cancers,” he said. “And the way that we achieve that balance is by having proto-oncogenes that promote proliferation come into balance with tumor suppressor genes that inhibit proliferation. This work shows one way that this balance changes with age.
“While these tumor suppressor mechanisms don't even exist during fetal development, where cells must divide rapidly, it makes sense that they become stronger in old age, when we are more at risk of getting a cancer,” said Morrison. “So, the benefit is that genes like p16 allow us to get older before we get cancer, but the bad news is that they make us lose function with age.”
posted by
Nautikos
on September 12, 2006 at 8:45 PM
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LeRoy, good point -- as long as adult stem cells are used.
They're the ones that have proven successful!
posted by
JanesOpinion
on September 11, 2006 at 7:56 PM
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Janes
Thanks for sharing this. The thing is, what if they start giving stem-cell therapy to brain damaged patients that works. Maybe they would have to be retrained, but so what. We are more than the sum of our parts no matter what any test says.
posted by
LeRoyCoyote
on September 11, 2006 at 1:21 PM
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You are right, more tests should be done.
posted by
babe_rocks
on September 10, 2006 at 6:32 PM
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