Stem Cell Treatment To Cure the Most Common Cause of Blindness 126
The Times Online reports that researchers from the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London and Moorfields eye hospital have developed stem cell therapy that can treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of blindness. They are currently moving the treatment through the regulatory approval process, and clinical trials are expected to start within two years. Quoting:
"Under the new treatment, embryonic stem cells are transformed into replicas of the missing cells. They are then placed on an artificial membrane which is inserted in the back of the retina. ... [Professor Pete Coffey, director of the London Project to Cure Blindness] said the treatment would take 'less than an hour, so it really could be considered as an outpatient procedure. We are trying to get it out as a common therapy.'
This is good and all (Score:5, Funny)
But don't let this discourage any mad scientist from creating ocular implants, especially ones with wifi and defensive laser beams.
Re:This is good and all (Score:4, Funny)
A treatment to get rid of AMD? (Score:5, Funny)
"On hearing the announcement that researchers have found a cure for AMD, a spokesman for computing giant Intel said 'It's about bloody time.'".
/ducks
Masturbation? (Score:2, Funny)
Finally! Now, can someone do something about the hair on my palms?
Re:This is good and all (Score:3, Funny)
The Most Common Cause of Blindness (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Straight to stem-cell cures? (Score:2, Funny)
Actually "synthetic" bodies which i suppose you could call robots have been around for quite some time...though it is hidden from the general public. Science fiction writers are often writing about technology existing in THEIR time(such as time travel and "star gates") but is not in the public eye. Start with the Omega and Majestic projects if you wish to research ;)
Re:This is good and all (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Still a long way to go... (Score:5, Funny)
Why are you abbreviating and then writing out the abbreviation? Doesn't that kind of negate the point of an abbreviation?
Most people on the Tubes would have saved themselves a lot of time by just writing the commonly-used abbreviation, "WAYAATWOTA? DTKONTPOAA?"
Re:Still a long way to go... (Score:5, Funny)
IANAO IAAO (I am not an Opthomologist, I am an Orthopaedist)
EIEIO (I am a farmer)
Re:Vampirism (Score:2, Funny)
Hi Medical Professional here, you may recognise me from such medical products as "Your First Colonoscopy" and the award winning "Bilateral Orchiectomy."
Re:Vampirism (Score:1, Funny)
And the first thing you'll see... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:This is good and all (Score:3, Funny)
Wait, how do you fit a shark into an eye socket?
Very carefully.
Obligatory (Score:3, Funny)
A spokesman for Intel expressed great interest in the technology:
"AMD has been a problem we've tried to combat for years, but until now, no matter how much we tried to suppress it, it always managed to survive. Not anymore."
NVIDIA declined to comment on this news story.
Re:Still a long way to go... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:This is good and all (Score:3, Funny)
Wait, how do you fit a shark into an eye socket?
Very carefully.
I've found it helpful to practice with a camel and a needle-eye before attempting sharks and real eyes.