[Thelma]

You want to debate the ethics of using stem cells then this is one quandry we will all have to face one day. Some say using a life to save a life is wrong then using a fetal cell to save or prolong the life of a fetus before it is born is what?


Stem Cells toughen up fetus's brittle bones
30 June 2007


INJECTING stem cells into a developing fetus might sound risky, but it could prolong the lives of children with brittle bone disease.

Nicholas Fisk and colleagues at Imperial College London studied mouse models of human type III brittle bone disease, or osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). The genetic defect - detected in human fetuses by DNA testing or ultrasound - disrupts collagen production, leading to weak bones and stunted growth. Those with type III OI suffer fractures while in the womb and rarely survive beyond early adulthood.

Fisk's team injected human fetal mesenchymal stem cells through the wall of the uterus into 14-day mouse fetuses. At the age of 3 months, treated mice had suffered just one-third of the long-bone fractures compared with untreated mice. Their bones were also stronger and their leg bones longer.

While drugs exist to treat the disease, stem cell transplants seem to have extra benefits, such as this boost in limb length, says Fisk. In fact, the treatment has already been tried in the US on three children with OI whilst still in the womb, with promising early results seen after the babies were born. Fisk, who last week presented the work at the annual meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research in Cairns, Australia, believes the treatment should now be offered on a case-by-case basis. Other experts caution, however, that a full clinical trial in people is needed first

[jeanb]

Thelma, this is wonderful. This would give hope to many.

[allimcd3]

I didn't realize anyone was doing stem cell research with my condition, OI. The treatment mentioned there is a bisphosphonate called pamidronate, a pretty routine treatment for anyone without BCBS of Illinois (the ones who played for my son's treatment and then denied me five years ago because all the literature was about kids.) Bitter? Well, I just developed ON and when they x-rayed me discovered deterioration in L-5-6-7. That's where the x-ray ended. I was x-rayed throughout my whole body as part of the protocol for trying to get on it and those vertebra were still pretty good. Such is life, eh? lol

Last May our new insurance, Anthem BCBS, okayed for my husband and I to both start on Reclast, a similar treatment. We're also on high doses of Vit D and Calcium Citrate.

My story aside, I can see why parents of new babies with OI would want to try anything to help their child to live a more productive, less painful life. That's their job, and their instinct.

Allison
Off her Floridian soapbox now