ADULT STEM CELLS

August 2004
		Adult stem cells, which come from bone marrow, skin, brain, blood and muscle, appear to have enormous potential to help repair the body. But individual studies on stem cell therapy are showing mixed results. Helen Blau, Ph.D., of the Stanford University School of Medicine and Charles Murry, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Washington's Department of Pathology answer your questions.

Online NewsHour Special Report: Adult Stem Cells Forum Introduction If the current restrictions posed on stem cell research were eliminated, how long would it be before initial procedures for spinal cord injuries would begin to appear? I have Parkinson's and I'm 51 years old. What's a possible timetable for the application of stem cell therapy to help me and others in my age range? Why can't stem cells derived from bone marrow be cultured and the injected locally into regions of the brain that has been damaged as a consequence of a stroke? What are your feelings on the potential of umbilical cord blood as a source of stem cell transplantation? Is it true that the research to date is not applicable to all ethnic groups, particularly, persons of African decent? Can stem cells injected into the body cause cancers? What kind of research is happening in this country, and when can I see human research here?	A viewer asks: Is it true that the research to date is not applicable to all ethnic groups, particularly, persons of African decent? Dr. Helen Blau responds: No. The research is blind to ethnic differences. Our goals are to help all people, no matter what creed or color. Dr. Charles Murry responds: Most medical findings translate pretty well among ethnic groups, but clearly there are exceptions. For this reason, the National Institutes of Health requires inclusion of minorities in clinical trials to see if subgroups of patients respond differently. It looks like clinical trials of stem cells will follow the same rules as drug studies and include ethnic subgroups such as African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, etc. (as well as women and children).