Stem cells found to help partially paralyzed
The Times of India have a story about how stem cells help the partially handicapped. Most studies are wrapped around fixing or repairing a broken spinal cord which includes complete loss of control of the arms and legs. This study was to determine how stem cells helped those that were not as badly hurt, and as such did not require as many surgeries as typical spinal cord injuries. The final report found that those with partial damage to the spinal cord responded much better to stem cells. More bodily functions were able to be brought back, and the level of function was much closer to normal than those with fully damaged spinal cords. This could mean that stem cell procedures on partially paralyzed people may go through the FDA in the US much faster then typical procedures that are new. Up to this point, stem cells had a mixed review at best and many western governments have been reluctant to give the go ahead for procedures that could just as easily repair things as make things worse.
While any kind of procedure that can reduce pain and suffering is one that is a worthwhile function, we must be careful not to drop good science for possible fixes.Most of the stem cell procedures available now are from China where most medical procedures are not as finely controlled as in the west. Just because you can do something does not mean that you should do it. Injecting stem cells without good science behind it runs the risk of increased pain, damage or even cancer at the point of injections. We all need to focus on making the patient better, or at least not any worse before the leave the hospital or clinic. It is clear that the spinal cord is much more complicated than we first thought and additional research has to be done so we understand all possible contra-indications before we start sticking the disabled with needles.
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