Advancements in Non-Embryonic Stem-Cell Therapy Wednesday, December 15, 2004
By Anthony Urti

Korean scientists seem to be making great strides with the use of stem-cells not derived from
human embryos. Recently, the Center reported on a South Korean woman, paralyzed and
bedridden for 20 years, who is now walking again (with the help of a walking aid) after scientists
repaired her damaged spine, using stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood.
Now, professors at the medical college of the Catholic University of Korea, have found that adult
stem cells can be implanted into damaged areas of the brain to rebuild dead tissue.
Researchers worked with five cerebral infraction patients – a disease caused by insufficient
blood flow to the brain – who suffered with severe symptoms of paralysis and speech disorder.
According to Rha Hyoung-kyun, one of the lead researchers, “It may be too early to conclude the
transplantation of stem cells is the only reason for an improvement in the patients’ condition,
because we haven’t confirmed the rebirth of brain cells in a molecular, biological way. But as it
was proven in animal experiments that stem cells can partly restore brain cells, we consider stem
cells helped the treatment in these clinical experiments as well.”
Three of the five patients have experienced great improvement in speech.
Canadian Scientist Says Embryonic Stem Cells Unnecessary
In other promising news, a Canadian scientist says that there is no need to explore stem-cells
from embryonic sources, because the blood of umbilical cords provides stem cells that are able to
do everything stem cells derived from other sources do.
Dr. Bob Casper, a scientist at the Mount Sinai Hospital’s Samuel Lunenfield Research Institute
points out, “We already have these cells making insulin in a dish.” Compare that to embryonic
stem-cells, which to date, have shown no such results.
“Everything that people now talk about regarding stem cells, I think that cord blood can do. It
could change the whole face of medicine,” Casper stated matter-of-factly.
Thus far, doctors have been substituting bone marrow transplants for leukemia treatment in
children with cord blood cell transplants. The blood from a single cord is enough to treat one
child. Amazingly, scientists recently found that such methods are effective in adults suffering
with leukemia as well. The promise is that cord blood cells are less likely to be rejected than a
bone marrow transplant, so donor selection is simplified.