Adult Stem Cells Create First Lab Grown Organ

Posted on November 19, 2008

And said organ actually, you know, works!

Surgeons replaced the damaged windpipe of Claudia Castillo, a 30-year-old mother of two, with one created from stem cells grown in a laboratory at Bristol University.

Because the new windpipe was made from cells taken from Ms Castillo’s own body, using a process called “tissue engineering”, she has not needed powerful drugs to prevent her body rejecting the organ.

Avoiding the use of these drugs means she will not be at an increased risk of cancer and other diseases unlike other transplant patients - another significant advance.

Five months after the operation was carried out she is now living normally and is able to look after her children again.

So, yet again, we see that it is research using stem cells other then from embryos that is creating medical breakthroughs.

» Filed Under Healthcare, News, Science/pseudo-science, Technology

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One Response to “Adult Stem Cells Create First Lab Grown Organ”

chucko on November 22nd, 2008 1:50 pm

What is so important about using adult stem cells rather than embryonic stem cells? This points rather clearly that embryonic stem research and researchers are not interested in discovering new treatments, but in making a point. Again, it is ADULT STEM CELLS to the rescue! The score is ASC 56 EDC 0 and we are still at half-time folks!