My blog informing people of what stem cells are is pretty lengthy...maybe even borderline unclear. Here is a two minute youtube video that could clarify some things.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Saturday, November 10, 2007
A New and Kind of Gross Trend
Parents are saving their childrens' umbilical cord blood after birth. According to research "A cord blood stem cell transplant with a person's own cord blood stem cells, or that of a sibling, gives your child the greatest possible chance of being cured of their disease." So, I guess it's worthwhile, just a very different practice.
I know you're thinking, "How is this done?"
After your baby is born and the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, your doctor will collect the cord blood using either a syringe or a blood bag. The procedure is safe, painless, and only takes a few minutes.
What's even more interesting is that not only is the newborn a good match for the stem cells, but so is the mother, because she carried the baby for nine months, and so are other siblings. It should also be noted that any family member who is a suitable genetic match may be able to use the stem cells if needed.
Moreover, cord blood can be stored for a long time. Current data reflects that cord blood cells stored for fifteen years have the same composition as they did at the time of storage. All science involving cryogenic storage of cells also indicates that the cells should remain viable indefinitely.
This last statistic is something I find to be most interesting. And although people are leery about interpreting stats, citing it can be manipulated to interpret anything, I would urge them to look beyond their skepticism.
According to medical research, the odds that a child will need to use his or her own stem cells for current uses is 1 in 2,700, and the odds that a family member would need to use those cells are about 1 in 1,400. These odds do not include the emerging use of cord blood stem cells to treat heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and spinal cord injury. The continued progress would greatly increase the likelihood of use.
I know you're thinking, "How is this done?"
After your baby is born and the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, your doctor will collect the cord blood using either a syringe or a blood bag. The procedure is safe, painless, and only takes a few minutes.
What's even more interesting is that not only is the newborn a good match for the stem cells, but so is the mother, because she carried the baby for nine months, and so are other siblings. It should also be noted that any family member who is a suitable genetic match may be able to use the stem cells if needed.
Moreover, cord blood can be stored for a long time. Current data reflects that cord blood cells stored for fifteen years have the same composition as they did at the time of storage. All science involving cryogenic storage of cells also indicates that the cells should remain viable indefinitely.
This last statistic is something I find to be most interesting. And although people are leery about interpreting stats, citing it can be manipulated to interpret anything, I would urge them to look beyond their skepticism.
According to medical research, the odds that a child will need to use his or her own stem cells for current uses is 1 in 2,700, and the odds that a family member would need to use those cells are about 1 in 1,400. These odds do not include the emerging use of cord blood stem cells to treat heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and spinal cord injury. The continued progress would greatly increase the likelihood of use.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Plans to Build the New Jersey Stem Cell Facility are Now Slowed
A few weeks ago New Jersey announced to the world that it was going to be building the first facility dedicated entirely to stem cell research in the country. At that time, the state believed that the public would without question be in favor of passing the initiative, but as we found out on Tuesday November 6th, that is not the case.
Though it was close, the state failed to persuade the majority of the public losing in the polls 53% to 47%. They needed 4% more. Does this mean the state is going to back down? Hell no. Instead, the state is going to hold meetings with pharmaceutical companies and get them to finance the remaining $450 million.
This is the kind of persistence I wish we all had. Why back down because of one shortcoming, because of one rock in the road, especially when New Jersey had 47% of its voters support the measure. This is the beginning of a change, and hopefully New Jersey will be a leader in this medical revolution.
Though it was close, the state failed to persuade the majority of the public losing in the polls 53% to 47%. They needed 4% more. Does this mean the state is going to back down? Hell no. Instead, the state is going to hold meetings with pharmaceutical companies and get them to finance the remaining $450 million.
This is the kind of persistence I wish we all had. Why back down because of one shortcoming, because of one rock in the road, especially when New Jersey had 47% of its voters support the measure. This is the beginning of a change, and hopefully New Jersey will be a leader in this medical revolution.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Want to Lose Weight???
BBC News reported that, "New nerves grown from stem cells taken from a patient's fat could be available by 2011." Enough of these cells could be used to heal hundreds of people. It's not many, but is definitely a start. Again, the research that produced these results was done on rats--I'm not exactly sure how humans are similar to these disgusting creatures--but still researchers are placing much emphasis on these findings.
According to Professor Giorgio Terenghi UK Centre for Tissue Regeneration,after receiving this stem cell transplant, "The patients will not be able to tell that they had ever 'lost' [the feeling to] their limb." How scientists accomplish this procedure is by extracting stem cells from fat tissue and then coax the cells into
becoming neurons - nerve cells - in the laboratory, which can form into anything.
The frequency of nerve injury is one in every 1,000 of the population. So, in other words, it's a common injury. And we can remedy this issue by not using embryos, so why aren't we? America seriously doesn't mind losing its status as the predominant and once innovative country it use to be. Does everything have to be related to the I-Phone to gain attention? Or can we can focus on health care for a second?
According to Professor Giorgio Terenghi UK Centre for Tissue Regeneration,after receiving this stem cell transplant, "The patients will not be able to tell that they had ever 'lost' [the feeling to] their limb." How scientists accomplish this procedure is by extracting stem cells from fat tissue and then coax the cells into
becoming neurons - nerve cells - in the laboratory, which can form into anything.
The frequency of nerve injury is one in every 1,000 of the population. So, in other words, it's a common injury. And we can remedy this issue by not using embryos, so why aren't we? America seriously doesn't mind losing its status as the predominant and once innovative country it use to be. Does everything have to be related to the I-Phone to gain attention? Or can we can focus on health care for a second?
I Love My Parents... kind of
I love my parents, but they are so freakin stubborn and set in their old ways. Earlier today I was talking to my dad, about how he should have considererd alternative eastern medical practices instead of western medicines when treating my sister's illness, and he said it never occurred to him to research eastern concepts of healing. And then I brought up the possible use of stem cells, and well he completely brushed off the idea.
He, and many other Americans are unwilling to inquire about this science, because they don't understand it, and nor do they want to take the time to research the promise of stem cells. Instead, these non-believers will be like the rest of this country and jump on the bandwagon once a breakthrough occurs, which will likely take place oversees because of our government. It's sad.
I understand realism and wanting to trust facts and proven methods, but apart of me is almost always willing to say, "let's take a chance." That's how progress is made. Am I alone on this?
He, and many other Americans are unwilling to inquire about this science, because they don't understand it, and nor do they want to take the time to research the promise of stem cells. Instead, these non-believers will be like the rest of this country and jump on the bandwagon once a breakthrough occurs, which will likely take place oversees because of our government. It's sad.
I understand realism and wanting to trust facts and proven methods, but apart of me is almost always willing to say, "let's take a chance." That's how progress is made. Am I alone on this?
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Tremors Got The Best of Her
For almost a decade now, my sister has taken medicine to treat her tremors. The downfall of taking medicine that treats tremors though is that it drastically effects her mood, almost to the point of mania.
The past two years have been the worse for her and my immediate family of 12 members--that was not a typo, I said 12, the number after 11. During the past two years, my sixteen-year-old sister has been in over 11 mental hospitals to treat her outbursts. She was literally a threat to my family, threatening to burn down my dad's house, she previously stole my dad's truck and crashed it, and has tried to jump out of moving vehicles on numerous occassions. The reason I say, "she was literally a threat" to my family is, because she's no longer living with my family.
Nine days ago I received an email from her twin sister informing me she was gone, and wasn't coming back. Her twin exaggerated that last fact. After speaking to my dad, she will either stay in a mental hospital in San Francisco until she's 18 or 21; so for at least two years.
If only embryonic stem cell research was legal, and could be used to treat her disease.
Friday, November 2, 2007
We Can Add Diabetes to The List
Not only are stem cells expected to cure Alzheimers and Parkinsons, but now evidence is suggesting that Type 1 Diabetes is a possibility. On World Diabetes Day, November 14th, a think tank will once again assemble to present their findings to the media via teleconference. The conference is held in Miami.
Type 1 Diabetes is growing in epidemic proportions effecting greatly children age 5 and younger. As a response to this phenomenon, diabetes researchers across the globe have been working to advance the study, prevention, and treatment of type 1 diabetes. The medical group decided to announce its findings through a teleconference instead of a typical press release, because this way, a question and answer session can occur to clarify the groups findings. The group of scholars will also disclose that, because of its findings, the way medical doctors are detecting Type 1 Diabetes is also changing. For example, a simple blood test can now identify the autoantibodies for type 1 diabetes up to 10 years before diagnosis.
Is Type 1 Diabetes really that bad?
YES! The serious complications of diabetes include heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney damage and lower-limb amputations.
Type 1 Diabetes is growing in epidemic proportions effecting greatly children age 5 and younger. As a response to this phenomenon, diabetes researchers across the globe have been working to advance the study, prevention, and treatment of type 1 diabetes. The medical group decided to announce its findings through a teleconference instead of a typical press release, because this way, a question and answer session can occur to clarify the groups findings. The group of scholars will also disclose that, because of its findings, the way medical doctors are detecting Type 1 Diabetes is also changing. For example, a simple blood test can now identify the autoantibodies for type 1 diabetes up to 10 years before diagnosis.
Is Type 1 Diabetes really that bad?
YES! The serious complications of diabetes include heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney damage and lower-limb amputations.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)