Stem Cell Breakthrough Significant For Degenerative Diseases
Researchers in Israel have achieved a significant global milestone in stem cell technology: they have created the first human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines that are free of animal contamination and whose production complies with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The achievement paves the way for developing clinical treatments that use hESCs to treat degenerative diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), type 1 diabetes, heart failure and Parkinson’s.
Numerous studies have shown that hESC transplants offer great potential in the treatment of degenerative diseases because they have the ability to regenerate new cells to replace damaged or diseased tissue.
But it is a long journey from showing something works in the research lab to using it safely and ethically in patients, and there are many hurdles.