Madam, – The latest stem cell success of the windpipe transplant for the 11-year-old boy from Northern Ireland (Home News, August 6th) is welcome news. From the stem cells taken from his bone marrow, doctors were able to grow cells around a donor windpipe and transplant this back into his own body. By using his own cells, this procedure greatly reduces the possible occurrence of the body rejecting the donor organ.
As medical science continues to make advancements in the use of adult stem cells there is a noticeable movement away from destructive embryo research. It is an exciting time in the development of adult stem cell research with news almost on a weekly basis of new clinical applications and developments.
There is a great sense of hope that many more cures to illnesses and diseases will continue to be found using adult stem cells. Let’s hope the Government here takes an active role in promoting a win-win solution where ethics and good science coexist. – Yours, etc,