New technology might cure Parkinson's, diabetes
WASHINGTON, Dec 2, 1998 (Reuters) - Stem cell technology, which uses
very early cells that
have the potential to become any kind of cell at all, could offer a cure
for diseases such as
Parkinson's and juvenile diabetes, researchers told a Senate panel on
Wednesday.
The panel was starting hearings on whether such experiments violate a
ban on federal funds
for research that involves human embryos.
Some of the potential therapies offered by such technology include,
according to the scientists:
-- Growing brain cells to replace those destroyed in Parkinson's
disease, a debilitating, incurable and deadly disease that starts
with a tremor and ends in dementia. Actor Michael J. Fox said this week
he has Parkinson's.
-- Growing pancreatic islet cells to replace those killed in Type-I or
juvenile diabetes.
-- Growing heart cells. Heart cells never regenerate, which is one
reason why heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the
industrialized world. But grafts of new heart cells grown in the
laboratory could replace those damaged by a heart attack, for
instance.
-- Growing cells to line the arteries to treat atherosclerosis, the
hardening of the arteries that helps kill 650,000 Americans every
year.
-- Getting rid of animal tests for many substances. Pots of human cells
could be grown to test the toxicity and chemical action of
many new drugs and compounds.
--
Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada
<[log in to unmask]>
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