On January 23rd, 2012, the field of regenerative medicine concluded an astonishing new find regarding human embryonic stem cells. According to the online published medical journal The Lancet, the use of embryonic stem cells may help those with severe blindness.
Two women, one aged 78 and the other 51, were injected with approximately 50,000 of these cells into one of eye (www.nytimes.com). This procedure was performed last July and lasted about 30 minutes. Although reactions of the immune system towards the eye are rare, the women were given low doses of drugs in the case of rejection.
The results of this experiment are phenomenal. Shorty following the operation, both women reported a significant transformation in their vision (CNN Health). The 78 year old woman informed the public of her daily struggles with everyday tasks including cooking, shopping, and pouring a glass of water prior to the operation. Now she is able to carry out these jobs with ease. In the study, the second patient also acknowledged the major improvements in her vision. Both patients had an increase in vision based on the results of standard vision tests.
These trials are being conducted by ophthalmologists at U.C.L.A. Even more trials will continue on a variety of patients to affirm the conclusion that these cells are not harmful to the human body.
The usage of embryonic cells in this study is very controversial (CBSNews). The argument for these cells is that they can be essentially used for any part of the body, since these cells can theoretically evolve into any other cell in the human system. Future research may unlock ways to transform the embryonic cells into various tissues. Also, they may help in combating a myriad of diseases.
Those against this research state that embryonic cells are a form life, thus taking these would be the equivalent of murdering a child before it is born. Even with these ethical questions, the implications of the usage of embryonic stem cells may revolutionize regenerative medicine.