Life & Times Blog - Blog Archive - Stem Cell Research Paying Off

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About the Story: After years of controversy and legal delays, state money for stem-cell research in California is beginning to flow. But at UC Irvine, they have been doing stem cell research for years. And as Roger Cooper reports, you can see the results in an experiment that could offer hope for thousands with spinal cord injuries. (TRT: 7:49)

Stem Cell Research Paying Off

Publish date: April 11, 2007
Last updated: May 16, 2009

Reporter's NOTES

Roger Cooper
Despite all the political and ethical debate we’ve heard over research using human embryonic stem cells, few of us have ever been to a place where such work is being done. My photographer and I got to spend some time inside the Stem Cell Center at UC Irvine, which has become a major player in stem-cell research.

This is the lab where researcher Hans Keirstead has gained worldwide attention by using stem cells to make a paralyzed rat walk again. I found the scientists here to be genuinely excited about the wide variety of human treatments that may come from their work.

At the same time, they are acutely aware of the controversy that surrounds their work and respectful of people who hold different beliefs. It was very interesting for me to see the lengths to which they must go to see that no federal funds or equipment get used in their stem-cell research.

We invite you to tell us your thoughts about this issue.

COMMUNITY VIEWPOINTS

11.26.2007 | 1:30 pm
I am interested in finding out about the near-cure, etc., for those who are handicapped (physically challenged) due to a spinal cord injury. I have a wonderful friend who is wheelchair-bound and has been for 12 years.

I want to work toward a cure for him and all others who suffer with this life-altering disability so that they can walk again. I hope and pray that the cure is close at hand.

I heard this week on NPR that recent research scientists have cloned cells from skin cells, not only embryonic stem cells, therefore, alleviating much of the ethical debate and resistance. Please feel free to e-mail me at dhoot@aol.com or, if need be, call: H: 251-342-0021, C: 251-654-5022. Many thanks.

dhhoot - Mobile, Alabama

10.06.2007 | 3:48 pm
As a person with a spinal injury, I think that anyone with such an injury would do and pay anything to get his or her life back. I know that I would and can’t wait until they come up with something that works.

Laurie - Warren, Illinois

07.28.2007 | 4:46 pm
I know that a cure will be found in the near future. Stem cells appear to be the answer.

Only someone who is not paralyzed opposes it. I am paralyzed from a gunshot wound, and my life took a 360-degree turn. I pray to God that a cure will be found.

SELAROM64 - Tampa, Florida

04.23.2007 | 2:41 pm
[…] Geron will start it’s clinical trials with embryonic stem cells for the treatment of spinal cord injury later this year. Clearly, actual treatments with embryonic stem cells are already in the works. As a soccer mom whose son became paralyzed from a collision while playing soccer, I plead with you to keep the doors open to state funding for embryonic stem-cell research so that my son may walk again one day. […]

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