Adult Stem Cells Used to Regrow Boy’s Cheekbones

Chalk up yet another success for adult stem cell therapy (still a big zip for the human-life-destroying embryonic stem cell research).

Scientific American reports doctors in Cincinnati have replaced a boy’s missing cheekbones using stem cells from fat tissue from his own body:

Stem cells so far have been used to mend tissues ranging from damaged hearts to collapsed tracheas. Now the multifaceted cells have proved successful at regrowing bone in humans. In the first procedure of its kind, doctors at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center replaced a 14-year-old boy’s missing cheekbones—in part by repurposing stem cells from his own body.

The technique, should it be approved for widespread use, could benefit some seven million people in the U.S. who need more bone—everyone from cancer patients to injured war veterans.

“This is sort of the holy grail for a number of different surgeons,” says Jesse Taylor, a surgeon and researcher in the hospital’s Division of Plastic Surgery and one of the procedure’s lead physicians. The procedure could be used in plastic, orthopedic and neural surgeries, he notes. Some bone tissue had previously been generated from stem cells in the lab, but this marks hope for a surgical solution for those who need additional bone.

“We often find ourselves in the operating room saying, ‘Man, I wish we had a little more bone,’” Taylor says. In adult patients plastic and metal have often subbed in, in the absence of bone, but as Taylor notes: “What happens if someone gets a fracture? It’s another surgery.” In contrast, a natural bone regrown from stem cells should heal on its own. Another alternative, bone transplants—either repurposed from the patient’s body or from cadavers—have high rejection and absorption rates, leading to many unsuccessful attempts.

Unlike embryonic stem cells–which destroy innocent human life in the harvesting, have problems with tissue rejection and create tumors in the recipient–adult stem cell research has already resulted in between 70 and 80 successful medical therapies.  It also has none of the practical problems that embryonic stem cell therapies pose.

Even though it has been researched for years, with both private and public funding, in countries across the globe, embryonic stem cell research has yet to produce a single successful therapy.

Meanwhile, adult stem cell research has produced treatments for brain injuries, stroke, retina regeneration, heart tissue regeneration, angina, diabetes, bone cancer, nerve regeneration, cerebral palsy, cartilage regeneration, Parkinsons, kidney damage, liver cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, leukemia and more.

There is simply no reason (other than the huge grant money floating around) to continue destroying innocent human life in embryonic stem cell research when adult stem cell research is already providing wonders for dozens of ailments.

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