Posted by matt on October 05, 2004 at 20:52:05:
In Reply to: Re: Kerry.... posted by jase on October 05, 2004 at 10:31:51:
As far as I've read, the big thing with stem cells in potential future treatments is that you would be able to combine with the embryonic stem cell either any remaining insulin producing cells in the patient (unlikely in type 1's:) or the nucleus of another cell from the patient that could then somehow be 'converted'. Then the resulting stem cells would be genetically identical to the patient and you shouldn't have the usual immune system hassles.
The theory sounds encouraging, and it's still probably a long way off ('10 years' anyone?). But if the Bush administration gets its way it's going to take an awful lot longer :p