• Question: What is your opinion on using embyronic stem cells to treat Multiple Sclerosis?

    Asked by jamieblakemore to Anne, Carolyn, Joe, Mariana, Nick on 16 Mar 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Joseph Devlin

      Joseph Devlin answered on 16 Mar 2010:

      Stem cells seems like a popular topic! I’ve never heard of using stem cells to help with MS but it seems like it may be more likely than helping with Parkinsons.

      MS is a disease where the immune system starts to attack brain cells called oligodendrocytes which form an insulating layer around nerve fibres. This layer is called myelin and it is what makes the “white matter” in the brain white. In MS, patients start to lose myelination in some places and that affects the way cells communicate — particularly with skeletal muscles involved in things like walking or using your arms.

      I have no idea why the immune system does this but I assume someone must have some clues but in principle, it may be possible to use stem cells to halt this process. How is completely beyond me, but I can imagine that it may be possible.

      In addition, it may be possible to use stem cells to create new oligodendrocytes in damaged areas because unlike neurons that are lost in Parkinson’s, these cells are purely local (they don’t have long distance connections).

      So all of this is off the top of my head because i know very little about the topic — hopefully others will provide a more definitive answer!

    • Photo: Carolyn McGettigan

      Carolyn McGettigan answered on 16 Mar 2010:

      I just wrote a response to a similar question on this. Basically, I think the debate on stem cell research is tough, and there’s no correct answer. I think the issues can only be addressed by the full and fair engagement of scientists and the rest of the public in balanced and considered discussion.

    • Photo: Nick Bradshaw

      Nick Bradshaw answered on 16 Mar 2010:

      From what I understand, its a very promising field of research and one that is likely to be of great benefit to MS sufferers in the long run.

      As for the use of stem cells generally, that is a complex area. Speaking scientifically the embryos used to generate them are two early to have the ability to “think” or be a person, and most of them are unused IVF embryos that were to be destroyed anyway. However it is still for me a grey area (I doubt that an embryo at this stage is really “human”, but I’m not 100% sure).

      There are a lot of people working on ways of generating more “ethical” stem cells, but whether these will ever be as useful as embryonic ones remains to be seen.

    • Photo: Mariana Vargas

      Mariana Vargas answered on 16 Mar 2010:

      Although this is not related to my research, from what I have read in the news there have been some promising trials using these. However, the safety and success of this treatment has not been proven yet.

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