Foetal cell hope for stroke victims

12 April 2012

British scientists hope to repair the damaged brains of stroke patients using stem cells from aborted foetuses, it has been reported.

The UK biotech company ReNeuron is seeking permission for trials from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates American research.

They will involve taking stem cells from the developing brain area of a 12-week aborted foetus and implanting them into patients, according to an exclusive report from the BBC.

Stem cells are immature cells that have not yet been "programmed" with a function. The cells to be used in the stroke trials will have started on their journey towards becoming neurons, and possess the ability to generate new brain tissue.

Rats paralysed by strokes regained movement when similar foetal stem cells were injected into their brains.

Dr Eric Miljan, head of stem cell discovery at ReNeuron, whose headquarters are in Guildford, Surrey, said: "We're very excited. There have been a battery of tests. There have been a series of animal safety experiments, and they work. We feel that we are ready to go into patient trials."

The company is seeking approval for trials on 12 stroke patients which, if given the go-ahead, could begin early next year. However the FDA must be sure the trials will be safe and worthwhile. In particular it will look closely at a crucial part of the treatment which involves genetically modifying the foetal stem cells.

Joe Korner, spokesman for the Stroke Association, said: "This is very interesting. The Holy Grail for stroke research has been to find a way of regenerating the damaged part of the brain. Until now it has been thought that the damage was irreversible."

The company claims it can produce unlimited numbers of stem cells from just one foetal tissue sample. It hopes this will reduce the anticipated objections from anti-abortion groups.

But John Smeeton, director of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, described the research as "sick". He told the BBC: "It involves cannibalising an unborn child. It's unethical in every way - killing one member of the human race to help another. We are totally opposed to this."

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