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Macular degeneration: 'I've been given my sight back'

bbc.com

11–20 of 106 posts

Re: Macular degeneration: 'I've been given my sight back'

#11
Most stem cell therapies produce benefits through the signaling of the transplanted cells, near all of which die off rather than integrate. This is an example of an approach that goes beyond that, providing a set of more organized cells in a thin tissue segment that looks more like the native tissue. When this was done for the heart, 10% of cells survived (this is a large number in the scope of stem cell therapies).

So it is interesting to speculate on the degree to which the benefits here are signaling versus cell integration. Clearly the big difference between past attempts is that a tissue-like set of organized cells are delivered rather than just free-floating unorganized cells.

Re: Macular degeneration: 'I've been given my sight back'

#12

This is a phase 1 trial (usually just undertaken to check safety before larger trials are done to test efficacy and dose), so it seems all the more amazing that such a big improvement was seen.

From the article, 29- and 21- letters improvement in visual acuity. I believe this means at least 4-6 rows improvement from the chart you read off of.

Think about that for a second. Nearly blind, or actually blind, to being able to read again.

I'm seriously debating specializing in ophthalmology, and sub-specializing in retina surgery just became an even more appealing career plan for me.

Re: Macular degeneration: 'I've been given my sight back'

#15
post #14

>Cells from a human embryo were grown into a patch that was delicately inserted into the back of the eye. I assume the baby didn't survive the process since there's no mention of that.

This is important because, for some, the moral dilemma would preclude this treatment.

Re: Macular degeneration: 'I've been given my sight back'

#16
post #14

>Cells from a human embryo were grown into a patch that was delicately inserted into the back of the eye. I assume the baby didn't survive the process since there's no mention of that.

This is important because, for some, the moral dilemma would preclude this treatment.

It's also important because a baby was killed to give a rich old guy a few more years of sight. A whole new underclass of children worthy of murdering for medical treatment arises.

Re: Macular degeneration: 'I've been given my sight back'

#17
post #14

>Cells from a human embryo were grown into a patch that was delicately inserted into the back of the eye. I assume the baby didn't survive the process since there's no mention of that.

In one sense, the cells did survive as part of the 86 year old lifeform. It's a ship of Theseus

Re: Macular degeneration: 'I've been given my sight back'

#18
post #12

This is a phase 1 trial (usually just undertaken to check safety before larger trials are done to test efficacy and dose), so it seems all the more amazing that such a big improvement was seen.

From the article, 29- and 21- letters improvement in visual acuity. I believe this means at least 4-6 rows improvement from the chart you read off of. Think about that for a second. Nearly blind, or actually blind, to being able to read again. I'm seriously debating specializing in ophthalmology, and sub-specializing in retina surgery just became an even more appealing career plan for me.

helping people be able to see again? sounds like a definition of "job satisfaction"

Re: Macular degeneration: 'I've been given my sight back'

#19
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From the article, 29- and 21- letters improvement in visual acuity. I believe this means at least 4-6 rows improvement from the chart you read off of. Think about that for a second. Nearly blind, or actually blind, to being able to read again. I'm seriously debating specializing in ophthalmology, and sub-specializing in retina surgery just became an even more appealing career plan for me.

helping people be able to see again? sounds like a definition of "job satisfaction"

My dad is an eye doctor and loves it for this reason.

Re: Macular degeneration: 'I've been given my sight back'

#20
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is important because, for some, the moral dilemma would preclude this treatment.

It's also important because a baby was killed to give a rich old guy a few more years of sight. A whole new underclass of children worthy of murdering for medical treatment arises.

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/baby

Embryo is not included in any standard definition of the word, so you may wish to reconsider your word choice.

Or not. Your call.

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