Thanks to local Brain Support Network member Christine for forwarding me this interesting article in today’s New York Times about the “stem-cell revolution.” This is an interview with scientist Shinya Yamanaka, the Nobel Prize winner for discovering induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells).
Here are two key excerpts from the interview:
Q: Was the promise of stem cells overstated?
A: In some ways, yes, it is overstated. For example, target diseases for cell therapy are limited. There are about 10: Parkinson’s, retinal and corneal diseases, heart and liver failure, diabetes and only a few more — spinal cord injury, joint disorders and some blood disorders. But maybe that’s all.
Q: What is needed before patients can receive stem cell treatments for the 10 or so diseases you identified?
A: Time and money. … iPS cells are only 10 years old. The research takes time. That’s what everybody needs to understand.
Here’s a link to the full article:
www.nytimes.com/2017/01/16/science/shinya-yamanaka-stem-cells.html
The Stem-Cell Revolution Is Coming — Slowly
A Conversation With
By Wallace Ravven
New York Times
Jan. 16, 2017
Here’s hoping something can be addressed by stem cells…
Robin