| Stem Cell Research has
had a somewhat controversial reputation, as most people
associate it to the destruction of an embryo.
This research has far reaching
implications, as it may hold the key to curing spinal
cord injuries, as well as other neurological diseases.
High profile advocates for
this research include Christopher Reeves (Spinal Cord
Injury) and Micheal J. Fox (Parkinsons Disease).
In one study, researchers
used embryonic stem cells to treat rats nine days after
an injury to the spinal cord by transplanting stem cells
from mice into the injury site. One month after the
surgery, The hind limbs of the treated animals had regained
some movement and were able to partially support the
weight of the rats' bodies.
There is still a lot of
research to do, but whatever the outcome, the controversy
will be around for a long time to come yet.
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