Stem Cell Injections Help Dogs With MS

[NVMojo]

NEW YORK (AP) - In promising new research, stem cells worked remarkably well at easing symptoms of muscular dystrophy in dogs, an experiment that experts call a significant step toward treating people.

"It's a great breakthrough for all of us working on stem cells for muscular dystrophy," said researcher Johnny Huard of the University of Pittsburgh, who wasn't involved in the work.

Sharon Hesterlee, vice president of translational research at the Muscular Dystrophy Association, called the result one of the most exciting she's seen in her eight years with the organization. Her group helped pay for the work.

She stressed that it's not yet clear whether such a treatment would work in people, but said she had "cautious optimism" about it.

Two dogs that were severely disabled by the disease were able to walk faster and even jump after the treatments.

more...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/thrive/2006/nov/15/111500664.html

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. That is just Wow. I hope this can work in people.

[NVMojo]

3. And we can ask our right wing fundies "WWJD?"

[whistle]

2. I thought Bush put a stop to that kind of research? Great news, but

...how will it be applied now?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

5. They used dog stem cells.

Still can't use human stem cells.

[Igel]

22. They used adult stem cells.

Or the dog correlate.

This was in Italy, but if some American researchers wanted funding for it they'd have been eligible.

Only "human embryonic stem cells" have federal funding restricted (and even then there's some available for research with specific strains of stem cells, and non-federal funding is perfectly ok).

[Demeter]

4. This Is NOT MS!

MS Multiple Sclerosis is something else entirely.

[aquart]

6. MS is multiple sclerosis.

And you gave me hope for my aunt for a second.

[ForPeace]

8. Muscular Dystrophy

not Multiple Sclerosis.

[China_cat]

9. Gave me a bit of hope for my son.

But if it helps the distrophic conditions, maybe my Dutch nephew will have a chance to live beyond the age of 30.

[JudyM]

15. ... and for my best friend... n/t

[ProfessorGAC]

17. Gave Me A Glimmer Of Hope Too

I'm in the middle of a (so far) 6 weeks exacerbation. I see a "good news" MS story and got all excited. But, i am happy for MD sufferers, though. Maybe folks like me are next!
The Professor

[hughee99]

7. Did anyone catch this part?

"The study was published online Wednesday by the journal Nature. It used stem cells taken from the affected dogs or other dogs, rather than from embryos. For human use, the idea of using such "adult" stem cells from humans would avoid the controversial method of destroying human embryos to obtain stem cells."

This wasn't about embryonic stem cells.

[aquart]

10. So?

[hughee99]

11. Those who are trying to use this as an argument against

republicans may not realize that most of the repukes DO NOT oppose this kind of stem cell research.

[Traveling_Home]

12. Adult Stem Cells - Great - What About Embryonic? n/t

[Hobarticus]

13. Still, to the right, stem cell research = dead babies

And they'll gloss over the 'adult' part.

[meow2u3]

23. I think too much can go wrong with embryonic stem cell research

First of all, the immunity factor. The body receiving embryonic stem cells could easily reject the "foreign invaders" and the patient could end up sicker than before.

Second of all, the wrong body part could end up growing. If I were an MS patient, I wouldn't want a pancreas growing where the peripheral nerves ought to be. :D

[grayokc]

14. vivisection bastards n/t.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

16. Yeah.

Damn scientists and their cures for diseases.

[mconvente]

18. Wow - that is truly amazing!

Keep up the research onward for humans, but this is a step in the right direction.

Cheers to science!

[xchrom]

19. while i think it wonderful both for people and dogs --

i wish they hadn't repeatedly stopped the anti-rejection treatments.

[Henryman]

20. The reporters headline has to be incorrect.

Headline reads: "Stem Cell Injections Help Dogs With MS"

The article is about two dogs with Muscular Dystrophy (MD).

What kind of newspaper employs editors who could miss this critical fact???

[WePurrsevere]

27. The headline is the from the AP writer not just this newspaper. I ran

a Google and it's the same at other sources, like ABC News &
the Washington Post, as well.

What I found "funny" was that the writer is billed as an "AP SCIENCE WRITER".

Oh and welcome to DU. :hi:

[independentpiney]

21. Dammit the headline got me excited for a minute

thinking selfishly because i cant use the available medicines to slow it because of other medical concerns. It's still fantastic news though, there's so much potential in stem cell research.

[leesa]

24. Muscular Dystrophy. Adult stem cells didn't do much for MS, maybe they will for this

[Raine]

25. My dog had MS, he died from it but

which are they actually talking about MS or MD? :shrug:

[WePurrsevere]

26. MS is not MD... although from personal experience (as a MSer Dx'd since '89) I know they are often

confused they're very different. It seems to me that this AP writer should have actually read his own article.

Stem cell research offers hope for both and so many more. From what I recall of human developement I believe that adult stem cells may behave/work in a different ways then embryonic making one good for some and the other good for others. The only way to find out if this is true however is through open and well funded scientific research and properly done blind studies.

[michreject]

28. Stem Cell research

needs to be expanded. Think of the knowledge we lost over the last 6 years. ...shudders.....