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Scientists Show How Biotech Is Improving Medical Field Companies Examine Possible Cures For Parkinson's, Alzheimer's POSTED: 7:53 pm PDT June 8, 2004 SAN FRANCISCO -- With the Biotechnology Conference under way in San Francisco, many people are wondering just how this industry impacts our lives. Scientists from across the world and those in the Bay Area are at the bio conference to demonstrate how they're helping to improve our health, NBC11's Marianne Favro reported. For example, some companies are examining the ability of growth factors to fight Parkinson's disease. "If it is not a cure, it could conceivably bring us something close to it. One thing to keep an eye on right now is the trophic or growth factors for nerve cells that could have a huge impact on Parkinson's," said Dr. Bill Langston, CEO of the Parkinson's Institute. Scientists are also making strides against Alzheimer's by using genetically engineered mice. "We are excited about this idea of immunotherapy -- being able to vaccinate people against Alzheimer's disease," said Bill Fisher, of the Alzheimer's Association. But despite these advances in the works, not everyone is jumping on the biotech bandwagon, Favro reported. "We must look beyond the headlines. The headlines have promised wonderful things that genetically engineered animals have produced, but when it comes to the treatments of people we haven't seen the results," said Kahty Guillermo, of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Still, some say despite the costs, we can't ignore the benefits. Charles Gibson certainly can't. He has advanced lung cancer and has been taking the drug Avastin, developed by Genentech in South San Francisco. Studies show it can help cut off the blood supply to tumors. It's working for Gibson and for the first time, he is showing improvement. "It just restored my hope in wanting to live," Gibson said. SOURCE: NBC 11.com, CA http://www.nbc11.com/health/3397779/detail.html * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn