Health

Spinal Cord Injury Stem Cell Technology Gives Hope

by panzerlawyer | September 29, 2008 at 06:24 pm

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A great new breakthrough may be able to heal spinal cord injuries, without murdering unborn children to get at the stem cells. Many people who value human life have argued against stem cell technology because it makes dead babies a commodity. But soon it appears we will not need to kill children to help living adults.

A recent discovery by researches at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine is showing promise of repairing spinal cord injuries in humans. Manipulating embryo stem cell precursors before they are implanted is a new development in stem cell technologies that will heal spinal cord injuries and relieve pain.

Two kinds of spinal cord support cells have been developed from embryo stem cell-like cells that are precursor cells called GRP’s. These precursors have a positive effect on injured spinal cords.

Researches say that his is the very first time that 2 sub-types have been generated from a common stem cell. Early Astrocytes precursor cells from embryonic stem cells help support spinal cord regeneration and does not scar or leave the injury site in a painful state.

Rats that were treated with these cells regenerated new nerve fiber regeneration with in only 8 days. Normal limb mobility was normal after about 2 weeks after the treatment.

Besides the GRP’s the researchers developed cells called GDAsBMP and they promote regeneration and relieving the pain of spinal cord injuries. GDAsCNTF another type of precursor cells that they developed did not speed healing or relieve pain.

The good news is that spinal cord injuries are coming closer to receiving a breakthrough to healing. Scientific research on stem cells is bringing hope to those who have suffered a spinal cord injury and have been told they will have to live with it for the rest of their life.