There is an increasing number of Australians suffering from injuries or auto-immune diseases travelling to India to receive controversial embryonic stem cell treatment.
So much so, that this week, two separate research groups, one from Monash University, the other from the Australian Stem Cell Centre are on the verge of receiving permission as early as this Friday to begin the first trials regarding cloning embryonic stem cells left over from IVF treatments.
Their applications are the first submitted since the Federal Government legislation allowing therapeutic cloning came into a force a year ago.
I have read two stand out stories about the treatment provided in India. One concerned a paralyzed mother who was told by specialists that she would never walk again. After her treatment in India concluded, she returned to Australia with the ultimate gift: the use of her legs.
The other concerned a 35 year old Brisbane Dad who was diagnosed at age 9 with optic atrophy, an eye condition where sight slowly deteriorates, leaving the sufferer able to recognise only dark and light shapes. After seven weeks of treatment and $45 000 later, his optic nerve is growing back and his eyesight has miraculously returned, reversing 15 years of degradation.
This man’s story does not stop here. Brisbane Dad also has Type 1 Diabetes. After embryonic stem cell treatment, his daily insulin dosage has decreased by a third after returning from India.
His Australian GP has called the improvement in his sight and diabetes “significant.”
Regardless of further expense, Brisbane Dad is returning to India for his last stage of treatment.
He is among 300 patients to be treated in New Delhi by controversial stem-cell pioneer Dr Geeta Shroff. The treatment, forbidden in Australia, involves collecting stem cells from embryos and injecting them into injured or diseased patients.
When taken from embryos, the cells are undeveloped and are better able to replace damaged tissue.
Dr Shroff has collected a bank of stem cells from a single embryo.
Until my own child was diagnosed with this frustrating and life-impairing condition, I would have never agreed to using live human cells from an embryo for medical intervention.
However, I have to admit that my heart races slightly when I read about the incredible success and transformation of lives as a result of this contoversial treatment.
Scientists are ecstatic at the prospect of being able to cure Type 1 Diabetes, Cancer and MS through their findings.
Monash University’s immunology and stem cell laboratory director, Professor Richard Boyd, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that there are strict guidelines for any therapeutic cloning research.
“It’s completely forbidden to implant this so-called embryo into anybody for the purposes of growing a new human … that is completely against the law and will not happen, In fact as soon as this embryonic form is created it basically is an egg which has been implanted with the nucleus … it’s a mature cell so there’s no sperm egg fusion at all in this.”
Despite Type 1 Diabetes becoming more and more prevelant, and cancer touching so many families, members of the Australian Government and many ethical and religious groups are outraged that this study is being introduced into our country.
I do know that if the heartbreak these diseases cause could be irradicated that it would be such a miraculous advance in medical science. This is the first time I have felt confident and willing enough to engage in the debate that has already caused sparks and divided the Nation.
Permission could still be overturned at Monash University, however I feel that with the new results discovered in India, that we will soon be hearing more miraculous stories concerning the breakthrough of conditions that are all lifethreatening, and life impairing.
I’d love to hear opinions from other parents/family/or people with Type 1 Diabetes. Despite your beliefs, if a child or adult in your family was deemed insulin independent, would you be outraged or supportive regarding HOW the miracle came to be?
Jennifer Lancey said,
10 June, 2008 @ 4:56 pm
Hello there. I was sent a link to your blog by a friend a while ago. I have been reading a long for a while now. Just wanted to say HI. Thanks for putting in all the hard work.
Jennifer Lancey
THOMAS W WATSON said,
11 June, 2008 @ 4:19 am
your implied religon in this world is going to kill many. Stem cell research and devolopment will happen, no matter what these insane religous people want. its a matter of big money for a cure!! keep your moral laws to yourself!!
Embryonic Stem Cell Treatment Creates Miraculous Recoveries In … | Embryonic Stem Cells . Org said,
11 June, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
[...] There is an increasing number of Australians suffering from injuries or auto-immune diseases travelling to India to receive controversial embryonic stem cell treatment. So much so, that this week, two separate research groups, … Read More [...]
Janek said,
13 June, 2008 @ 12:43 pm
Mr Watson seems a little hostile towards religion. This is a shame.
I think that there is unlikely to be any quick and easy solution to whether or not therapeutic cloning should or shouldn’t be allowed. However, there is no point in shouting a person’s views. This really is a time for internal reflection and consideration, whether you are a religious person or not.
But, that’s just my view on the argument. As for the discoveries involving embryonic stem cell research, I think this is an exciting growth field, and should be watched closely for what develops over the coming years.
kshama sharma said,
17 June, 2008 @ 6:52 pm
when will you start curing type one diabetes
Thomas W Watson said,
23 June, 2008 @ 7:46 am
Just a note….I have no problem with religon, when they stay out of human affairs or progress.
Atrophy » Blog Archive » Embryonic Stem Cell Treatment Creates Miraculous Recoveries In Australia. said,
24 June, 2008 @ 11:04 pm
[...] Embryonic Stem Cell Treatment Creates Miraculous Recoveries In Australia. There is an increasing number of Australians suffering from injuries or auto-immune diseases travelling to India to receive controversial embryonic stem cell treatment. So much so, that this week, two separate research groups, one from Monash University, the other from the Australian Stem Cell Centre are on the verge of receiving permission as early as this Friday to begin the first trials regarding cloning embryonic stem cells left over from IVF treatments. Their applications are the first [...]
Amy said,
13 October, 2008 @ 12:26 pm
This stem cell treatment by Dr. Geeta Shroff saved my life. She uses only one embryo; and that embryo would otherwise be thrown in the trash if it wasn’t used for this amazing treatment. I don’t know what everyone pictures to be happening with all of these leftover embryos. If you think of it that way, it seems immoral NOT to use them to help the suffering and terminally ill.
reyna said,
30 November, 2008 @ 8:50 am
i am very curious about this.what do u think will happen with somone that has ms? someone that can’t walk good and is stiff all the time.will this repair all the damage it has done? will it take all the symptomes away? sounds so promising,and i dont wanna get my hopes up.is there anything else that can be said about thisi? there are so many lies out there,that its hard to believe this. sounds too good to be true.
Darlene Brownrigg said,
11 March, 2009 @ 2:54 pm
I have MS and type 2 diabetes my eldest daughter has tpye 1 since she was young. we can’t afford to go overseas for treatment. we suffer from alot of systoms. I know there is stem cell tratment we could both have and want. but we have to have it in Australia I have 4 kids who are 5 and under with this I can’t walk or play with them. or drive or read to them. I want to know how long before Australia lets us have stem cell treatment? I believe our lives would be better with from what I have read which is alot about stem cells. Australia please help us all we want is treatment here.
ivgf
riyaz said,
28 May, 2009 @ 8:03 pm
my mom has type 1 diabetes.She is very ill and i am taking her to india for treatment.could kindly let me know which is the best clinic there.thank you
Janek said,
30 May, 2009 @ 12:48 pm
Riyaz,
It is both unprofessional for me to comment on clinics, as each works for different purposes, but also, as you will notice, neither Kate nor I am in a position to pass on medical advise. If you so choose to travel to India to discuss medical treatment there, you do so on your own accord.
John
June Stubbs said,
14 June, 2009 @ 11:50 pm
Maybe you can’t recommend something specif for this lady, but she needs answers. She needs advice. She needs to know where she can get information on the clinics she has to choose from. She has suffered enough, and doesn’t want anything else to happen if she can prevent it. Show compassion! At least offer her a location for information on these clinics.
Janek said,
15 June, 2009 @ 5:26 pm
I don’t know any, June. I wish I could help, but I can’t. And, as for compassion, between not hearing from Kate for over three months and my general worry for Lance, I really don’t know what else to say.
I did a Google search for the best I can provide, and there’s not much information out there other than the experimental research, but apparently a company in Chennai, LifeCell, is doing research, and might be a place to start. Here’s their info:
website: http://www.lifecellinternational.com/
I hope that helps you, Reina, and placates you, June.