Canadians Make Stem Cell Breakthrough

[Middleground]

Wow, it seems we are coming closer and closer to finding cures for many devastating diseases. Good show by this research team, who have made this so important discovery.

Canadian researchers have found what could be a new way to make embryonic-like stem cells, a discovery that could lead to cures for devastating conditions such as spinal cord injury and Parkinson's disease.

The new method uses a 'wrapping' procedure to deliver specific genes to adult cells to reprogram them into stem cells.

Previous methods to create embryonic-like stem cells have used a virus to help transform adult cells into pluripotent stem cells -- cells that can develop into most other cell types. But those methods carried the risk of damaging the cell's DNA. With damaged DNA, the cells often became cancerous or led to abnormalities.

This new method, described online in the journal Nature, uses a novel "wrapping" procedure to deliver specific genes to adult cells to reprogram them into stem cells, without damaging the cell's DNA.

Genetic researchers have long believed that stem cells could be the ticket to finding cures for a host of diseases, since they allow tissue to rebuild itself. The best stem cells come from embryos, which are rich in pluripotent stem cells. But the use of embryonic stem cells has been controversial.

This new simplified method does not require embryos and instead can generate stem cells from many adult tissues, including a patient's own skin cells, allowing for personalized therapies.

Canadians make stem cell breakthrough | Sympatico / MSN News

 

[Lightdemon]

Not to detract from the topic of the OP, but maybe you can help me understand how the Canadian system works MG?

Isn't health care primarily financed and funded by your government? I may be exposing my ignorance here, but isn't health care and R&D related too? Aren't they funded by the government as well?

Some people were arguing that since health care is provided by the government, that would decrease competition and thus lowering the potential/desire for R&D. Which is why I'm asking. Any thoughts on this?

 

[rathi]

Some people were arguing that since health care is provided by the government, that would decrease competition and thus lowering the potential/desire for R&D. Which is why I'm asking. Any thoughts on this?

The healthcare industry doesn't do R&D. Even in the U.S., government funded research is the primary source of new medical techniques. Drugs and biotech are corporately funded, but they don't provide healthcare, they sell their products to those who do. Pharma companies will sell to whoever provides the healthcare, it doesn't matter if it is government or a private entity.

 

[Middleground]

Not to detract from the topic of the OP, but maybe you can help me understand how the Canadian system works MG?

Isn't health care primarily financed and funded by your government? I may be exposing my ignorance here, but isn't health care and R&D related too? Aren't they funded by the government as well?

Some people were arguing that since health care is provided by the government, that would decrease competition and thus lowering the potential/desire for R&D. Which is why I'm asking. Any thoughts on this?

It's a very good question, Lightdemon, and one that I'm not 100% sure about myself. I can say with certainty, that our healthcare tax dollars do not go into research. However, we do have government funded research organizations (I work for one, but in the field of construction), and some are in the field of health. In any event, that money is from another part of the federal budget.

I believe a lot of our universities have medical research facilities. There are also privately owned companies that do research as well, but mainly to promote their drugs or health products. We are peanuts compared to the rest of the industrialized world, yet we have done some great things, including important discoveries on the Human Genome.

 

[Tagged N.]

It's a very good question, Lightdemon, and one that I'm not 100% sure about myself. I can say with certainty, that our healthcare tax dollars do not go into research. However, we do have government funded research organizations (I work for one, but in the field of construction), and some are in the field of health. In any event, that money is from another part of the federal budget.

I believe a lot of our universities have medical research facilities. There are also privately owned companies that do research as well, but mainly to promote their drugs or health products. We are peanuts compared to the rest of the industrialized world, yet we have made some important discoveries, including important discoveries on the Human Genome.

The stuff I have read is very positive about the adult stem cell advances, I'll admit I don't agree with using an embryo so I'm very happy to see advances that don't require them.

How do you like the healthcare system? Is it as good or bad as we've heard?

 

[Middleground]

The stuff I have read is very positive about the adult stem cell advances, I'll admit I don't agree with using an embryo so I'm very happy to see advances that don't require them.

How do you like the healthcare system? Is it as good or bad as we've heard?

In a nutshell, as imperfect as our system is, most Canadians are so grateful for it. Threaten to take away our system, and see Canadians go rabid.

 

[WI Crippler]

I just wanted to note that this thread marks a milestone for Canadian political discussions here at DP.

Congratulations on your 10th thread Canada.

:2canadian:good_job:

 

[Middleground]

I just wanted to note that this thread marks a milestone for Canadian political discussions here at DP.

Congratulations on your 10th thread Canada.

:2canadian:good_job:

:rofl

No maple syrup forrrr you. One yearrrr...eh.

 

[Lerxst]

I'm very excited about this development. Stem cell research is, at this time, the only research that holds any promise for curing the disease that afflicts me.

Here's one to Canadian medical science!

:drink

 

[Orion]

Canadian medical research is largely private, through companies and through universities. Some public funds get involved, but only on special projects (i.e. vaccination programs).

I think this is a great breakthrough. There is no reason why stem cell research should be banned anywhere at this point. Fear of the future means delays in helping millions of ill people.