Great News from Medicine
Findings described in a new study by Stanford scientists may be the first step toward a major revolution in human regenerative medicine—a future where advanced organ damage can be repaired by the body itself. In the May 2007 issue of The FASEB Journal, researchers show that a human evolutionary ancestor, the sea squirt, can correct abnormalities over a series of generations, suggesting that a similar regenerative process might be possible in people.
“We hope the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon will ultimately lead to new insights regarding the potential of cells and tissues to be reprogrammed and regenerate compromised organs in humans,” said Ayelet Voskoboynik, Ph.D., of Stanford University and first author of the study.
Missing limbs, scarred hearts, broken spines, and wounded muscles always try to repair themselves, but often the result is invalidism or disease. Even some tumors try to revert to normal, but are unsuccessful. If the genetic sequence described in the sea squirt applies to humans, this study represents a major step for regenerative medicine.
The EU won’t let anything made of genetically engineered plants into their little Green Haven. I wonder if they’ll start banning entry by anyone who has had gene therapy?
Posted by on 04/26 at 01:47 PMThey don’t want anything they don’t hve patents on. It’s all about the Ben…I mean, Euros
Posted by on 04/26 at 02:06 PM
Next entry: D'Oh!
Previous entry: Green into Gold
