Stem cell research in NZ

[onearmedbandit]

Was on KB before when the ex sent me a text saying I should be watching 60 minutes. Had a look and caught the tail end of a story on stem cell research being carried out in Dunedin. Dr Deborah Stewart claimed that it could be within 18-24 months that we see a cure for paralysis in NZ. While I don't ever read too much into claims like this, that there is development in NZ is fantastic news for myself and other people in similar or even far worse situations.

For those that don't know, stem cells are akin to the building blocks of our bodies. They contain all the information that our bodies require to develop, to be, to exist. And most importantly, doctors are able to manipulate them to repair/regenerate damaged tissue, whatever, these stem cells have the ability to become anything within the body.

You may have heard of the stem cell debate in America. This centers around harvesting these cells, up until recently a technique that divided opinion. Harvesting was done mainly from aborted or miscarried babies as these cells were easily 'programmed', and many feared that this would create a market for aborted pregnencies. But now we can manipulate adult stem cells hopefully progress will be made as quickly as possible.

For me it will mean an end to the constant pain I suffer, which at the moment is attacking me with such vengance it is almost like it knows its time is near. It would also mean that with rehab I will possibly get the use of arm back. Which means I'll have to come up with a new user name! Come to think of it, it would be strange to have the use of it back again as I wouldn't know what to do with it!!

BTW, to those that are interested I have noticed recently increased sensation in certain areas of my arm and hand. Not feeling as such, but little electric pulses whenever something brushes that area. I'm not holding out any hope on it, but just observing to see what happens.

[WINJA]

Was on KB before when the ex sent me a text saying I should be watching 60 minutes. Had a look and caught the tail end of a story on stem cell research being carried out in Dunedin. Dr Deborah Stewart claimed that it could be within 18-24 months that we see a cure for paralysis in NZ. While I don't ever read too much into claims like this, that there is development in NZ is fantastic news for myself and other people in similar or even far worse situations.

For those that don't know, stem cells are akin to the building blocks of our bodies. They contain all the information that our bodies require to develop, to be, to exist. And most importantly, doctors are able to manipulate them to repair/regenerate damaged tissue, whatever, these stem cells have the ability to become anything within the body.

You may have heard of the stem cell debate in America. This centers around harvesting these cells, up until recently a technique that divided opinion. Harvesting was done mainly from aborted or miscarried babies as these cells were easily 'programmed', and many feared that this would create a market for aborted pregnencies. But now we can manipulate adult stem cells hopefully progress will be made as quickly as possible.

For me it will mean an end to the constant pain I suffer, which at the moment is attacking me with such vengance it is almost like it knows its time is near. It would also mean that with rehab I will possibly get the use of arm back. Which means I'll have to come up with a new user name! Come to think of it, it would be strange to have the use of it back again as I wouldn't know what to do with it!!

BTW, to those that are interested I have noticed recently increased sensation in certain areas of my arm and hand. Not feeling as such, but little electric pulses whenever something brushes that area. I'm not holding out any hope on it, but just observing to see what happens.

HAVE YOU GOT A GHOSTING HAND GIVING YOU PAIN.
FUCK YEAH 2 HANDS LOOK OUT R1AARON

[toads]

It certainly would be wonderful for those people who have lost the use of their limbs to regain mobility. I don't agree with the use of aborted foetus's, or miscarried foetus's but using stem cells from the umbilical cord of newborn babies is perfectly acceptable in my opinion, as long as the parents are willing for it to be used for that purpose. It's great to know NZ has this sort of research going on.

[Biff]

I'm pro research as well OAB. It's the god bothering hardliners that appear to be causing all the problems in the US.

(no offence Zed et all)

[ZorsT]

Stem cells have great potentional but there are always some who will ruin it. I know of another person who has one paralysed are because of a motorbike accident, and I think that this would benifit him also

[sAsLEX]

Not feeling as such, but little electric pulses whenever something brushes that area. I'm not holding out any hope on it, but just observing to see what happens.

get Zed on your case he maybe be able to give the big man a word or three.

Saw some amazing things on the box wrt the stem cell thing, they broke a rats back in two, pretty clean break and after a week it could move its hind legs and walk like a spastic, a few more weeks and it was hard to tell from before the break as it had rewired itself pretty well.

The way I have understood stem cells is that they are the basis for all cell in our body, and an analogy is that they contain some piano keys and the different chords or combination of keys that are pressed determines wether they will be bone, skin or what ever cells

[Hitcher]

There's been a lot of emotive claptrap spouted by fundamentalist right-wing Christians in the US. A lot of stem cells are extracted from placental blood, rather than embryos or foetuses. It's hard to see the harm in that, particularly when one looks at all the good that can come from it.

The Catwalk programme on 60 Minutes tonight was terrific. Some people just amaze me and remind me that there's more to worry about in life than whether my electric blanket is on...

[Jeremy]

Well it's always amazed me there's been any contention at all.

Aborted fetus -> rubbish
OR
Aborted fetus -> research

It's the same chain of logic that means that you'd complain about recycled paper as it means trees get chopped down so that there's more paper to recycle.

[k14]

Well it's always amazed me there's been any contention at all.

Aborted fetus -> rubbish
OR
Aborted fetus -> research

It's the same chain of logic that means that you'd complain about recycled paper as it means trees get chopped down so that there's more paper to recycle.

Yeah you are right, but the problem (i think) that everyone has is that this could encourage people to get an abortion cause they can get $$$ for the foetus. This is a pretty touchy subject and fairly immoral in my opinion, but don't think it will stop.

However I don't have a problem with people using the stem cells from other places, I thought a big source was the umbilicle cord, and I'm sure there are other sources.

[Jackrat]

It's been 15 years since my accident,four years since the last op'.
I can't have another one until I'm around 65/70 years old but by then I probably won't be able to walk anyway.
I know where I stand

[onearmedbandit]

HAVE YOU GOT A GHOSTING HAND GIVING YOU PAIN.
FUCK YEAH 2 HANDS LOOK OUT R1AARON

I have 5 raw nerve bases on my spine, C5, C6, C7, C8, and T1. These send severe pain signals to my brain, making me 'feel' pain in my arm and hand, fucking exruitiating pain mate. Reminds you that you're alive anyway.

[TonyB]

OAB- brilliant news on both fronts. A hell of a lot of people will benefit from this.

Maybe the extra pain you're experiencing is akin to the itching sensation you get as the body heals- especially when you are getting extra sensation returning.

[onearmedbandit]

I'm pro research as well OAB. It's the god bothering hardliners that appear to be causing all the problems in the US.

(no offence Zed et all)

You're right Biff, the 'Bible Belt' of America has fought a hard battle against stem cell research, on a number of fronts. One of their reasons is that we're messing with gods work. One christian lady being interviewed (can't remember her condition, something like Parkinsons) said if it was gods will for her to die a painfull slow death then that was her destiny. When told of the parable of the shipwrecked sailor and used as an example in her case (ie god working through the surgeons hands) she clammed up.

[onearmedbandit]

some amazing things on the box wrt the stem cell thing, they broke a rats back in two, pretty clean break and after a week it could move its hind legs and walk like a spastic, a few more weeks and it was hard to tell from before the break as it had rewired itself pretty well.

I saw that too sAsLEXSaw, amazing program. The brain re-taught itself which nerves to use to control which function, even though the nerves reconnected to each other and not the original nerve. Amazing stuff.

[onearmedbandit]

OAB- brilliant news on both fronts. A hell of a lot of people will benefit from this.

Maybe the extra pain you're experiencing is akin to the itching sensation you get as the body heals- especially when you are getting extra sensation returning.

Thanks Tony. About the new sensation (as I wrote that that song went through my head ' a new sensation!!') some have said the same to me, and I hope it is something like this. But I've spoken to specialists both here in NZ and Japan and all have said it won't heal. I suppose there could be a chance of some limited development. Time will tell.