An incredible breakthrough in stem cell therapy, by British Scientist, that promises to cure age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of blindness.
Surgeons predict it will become a routine, one-hour procedure that will be generally available in six or seven years’ time.
The treatment involves replacing a layer of degenerated cells with new ones created from embryonic stem cells. It was pioneered by scientists and surgeons from the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London and Moorfields eye hospital.
This week Pfizer, the world’s largest pharmaceutical research company, will announce its financial backing to bring the therapy to patients.
Pfizer’s is playing a major role in the clinical trials and they have agreed to manufacture the membranes.
The team is applying for regulatory approval for trials from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the Human Tissue Authority and the gene therapy advisory committee.
The clinical trial, due within two years, is expected to be the second in the world to use embryonic stem cells on humans. The first, on patients with spinal cord injuries, will start this year in America.
There are many people that believe it is morally wrong to use embryonic stem cells. In medicine, stem cell research offers hope to treat a wider variety of diseases including cancer, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and muscle damage.
“There are many people that believe it is morally wrong to use embryonic stem cells.”
Yep, but I’m not one of them. This is great. See what we can accomplish with science if the medieval crowd can just stay the hell out of it?! Better lives-better living.
I hope they perfect this research soon. If not for “Bush and the Preachers”, this research could have been done sooner here, and helped our economy. Every time a successful treatment is developed, knowledge gained will also help to create other uses.
I agree Bluedahlia. I don’t believe in letting people suffer when we can find a cure. Or so that people can lead a more productive life.