Paralyzed for 20 years, South Korean Woman Walks Thanks to Adult Stem Cell Research

[johnny861]

Paralyzed South Korean Woman Walks Thanks to Adult Stem Cell Research

Seoul, South Korea (LifeNews.com) -- A South Korean woman who was paralyzed for 20 years is walking again -- thanks to adult stem cell research. The news is further evidence of the success scientists are having with the more ethical form of stem cells.

Thirty-seven-year-old Hwang Mi-Soon’s miracle cure came about as a result of stem cells harvested from umbilical cord blood.

The woman wept as she walked at a news conference in which South Korean researchers revealed their stem cell success story.

While they conceded more research needs to be done, the team said Hwang’s case could be a leap forward in the treatment of spinal cord injuries.

"We have glimpsed at a silver lining over the horizon," Song Chang-Hoon, a member of the research team, told the press. "We were all surprised at the fast improvements in the patient," he added.

Meanwhile, Hwang, who had been bedridden for two decades as a result of the injury to her back, told the media she considered her ability to walk a miracle.

"I never dreamed of getting to my feet again," she said.

This new adult stem cell development has raised more questions about the necessity of embryonic stem cell research, which has yielded little in the way of concrete results. Research using adult stem cells also does not involve the ethical problems posed by embryonic stem cell research, which involves the killing of human embryos.

Embryonic stem cells also have a tendency to form tumors when injected into animals or human beings -- something that does not happen with adult stem cells.

While more than one hundred treatments have been developed using adult stem cells, no patients have been cured with embryonic stem cells after more than two decades of research.

The South Korean researchers say their experiment marks the first time adult stem cells taken from umbilical cord blood have been used successfully to treat a patient with spinal cord injuries.

Others suffering from paralysis have also been treated with adult stem cells.

Laura Dominguez and Susan Fajt, both of the United States, never thought they would walk again after near-fatal automobile accidents that left them paralyzed with severe spinal cord injuries. But, once they received treatments with their own adult stem cells, they were able to walk with the aid of braces.

Dominguez was a quadriplegic at the age of 16 after the accident, but treatment using her olfactory sinus stem cells helped her walk with braces. Fajt benefited from an experimental new adult stem cell treatment.

A dramatic video was shown to members of a Senate committee in July picturing Dominguez swimming without assistance thanks to the adult stem cell treatments.

[question]

Actually, this article is inaccurate. It was umbilical blood stems cells.

Originally Posted by question

Actually, this article is inaccurate. It was umbilical blood stems cells.

those ARE adult stem cells

There are two basic types of stem cells: adult stems cells and embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are produced when a newly fertilized egg begins to divide. These stem cells can become any type of cell in the body.

Adult stem cells – somewhat of a misnomer because they can also be found in infants and children – are stem cells that reside in already developed tissue. These stem cells can act like a repair system, dividing regularly to provide new specialized cells to take the place of those that die or are lost. Tissues where adult stem cells have been found include the brain, blood, muscle, skin and bone. Research with adult stem cells has been limited due to the difficulty in growing and differentiating them under laboratory conditions.

[Ryan]

The possibilities of embryonic stem cells are far greater than even this.

[question]

We can't give people false hope though Ryan!

Originally Posted by Ryan

The possibilities of embryonic stem cells are far greater than even this.

Originally Posted by Ryan

The possibilities of embryonic stem cells are far greater than even this.

Must be as the demonstrable results from adult stem cell research have considerably outpaced those from embryonic stem cells.

Originally Posted by E-brake

this would probibly have a lot to do with embryonic sem sell research being illegal in a lot of western nations. So of course the scientists in say America as an example are going to make more progress with adult stem cells that they have access to and little regulation on vs embryonic stem cells that takes a lot of hastle and is limited by federal law and regualtion.

arrggg - it is not illegal (I'm perfectly willing to back off of that when you show me the law/reg. you're referring to - I don't think it exists)

A researcher in the US cannot be arrested for doing embryonic stem cell research.

The left have declared the lack of open flood gate funding by the federal government a "ban" on stem cell research. It is not illegal. Private firms are free to research away. Its attracted fewer private investment dollars because its shown less promise than adult stem cell research - - which has received large private fundnig committments.

[question]

That could have a lot to do with the fact that there is no federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, nor is there any ability for new lines of stem cells to be given to researchers in the US. And it could also have to do with the fact that the majority of the lines that Bush allowed are contaiminated and unusable.

Originally Posted by xiannaix

Must be as the demonstrable results from adult stem cell research have considerably outpaced those from embryonic stem cells.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by xiannaix

Must be as the demonstrable results from adult stem cell research have considerably outpaced those from embryonic stem cells.

No, but the support for research has.

Originally Posted by question

That could have a lot to do with the fact that there is no federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, nor is there any ability for new lines of stem cells to be given to researchers in the US. And it could also have to do with the fact that the majority of the lines that Bush allowed are contaiminated and unusable.

Private businesses may research embryonic stem cells from fertility clinics - they are NOT limited to designated lines.

Federally funded embryonic stem cell research IS limited to certain stem cell lines and limited in federal dollars available.

The two are intentionally confused by advocates of federally funded stem cell research.

Originally Posted by Ryan

No, but the support for research has.

Prove me wrong and I'll concede the point.

Everything I've read on the topic discusses real results from adult and large problems (largely predictability) from embryonic.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by xiannaix

Must be as the demonstrable results from adult stem cell research have considerably outpaced those from embryonic stem cells.

You can argue science all you want, but the medical community is almost unanimous in their agreement that embryonic stem cells has far greater possibilities than do adult stem cells. Some may even have moral objections to it, but they still recognize the fact.

[Element4040]

I think South Korea just lost "Ally" status with this administration, lol.

Originally Posted by E-brake

Havent they blocked Federal Research funds on embryonic stem cell research, and doesnt that prevent universities that often do poineering work in these areas from working with them.

If im wrong Im wrong but I was under the impression that a lot of the Universities that do some of the most cutting edge medical and scientific work are forced to only work with Adult stem cells because of their federal funding.

Funding from the federal government is limited. The cell lines those receiving federal funding may research is limited.

Private research on embryonic stem cell reearch is not limited.

There is NO ban. It is NOT illegal.

Universtities do lots of research - so does private industry. If it shows promise there's a profiit to be made. The adult stem cell research has captured the bulk of private funding because it shows the best chances of success.

Originally Posted by Ryan

You can argue science all you want, but the medical community is almost unanimous in their agreement that embryonic stem cells has far greater possibilities than do adult stem cells. Some may even have moral objections to it, but they still recognize the fact.

Please provide me with a medical journal article supporting that assertion.

I'm arguing a business reality. I'm willing to accept your comment about medical possibilities with some supporting evidence rather than simlpy an unsupported claim.