Community Chat

[cherry]

Where do Stem Cells Come From?

First and foremost, it should be noted that not all stem cells come from embryos. As a matter of fact, despite the amount of public attention they get, embryonic stem cells are among the smallest group of stem cells currently being researched. So where do the rest of these stem cells come from? Stem cells can be found from a variety of sources including:

Bone Marrow – Stem calls can be found in adult bone marrow, but they must be harvested from an adult donor. While the process is minimally invasive, it’s not exactly fun, either. The ability to collect these cells is often determined by the age and health of the donor.

Placenta and Cord Tissue – This type of stem cell is derived from the mesoderm during embryonic development and can differentiate into cells of that germ layer, namely muscle, cartilage, nerve and fat.

Amniotic Fluid – Similar to marrow cells, stem cells can be harvested from a sample of amniotic fluid during a pregnancy.

Teeth – Developing teeth provide a lower risk source of stem cells that can have a variety of medical uses.

Umbilical Cord Blood – One of the most plentiful, non-invasive, convenient, and controversy free sources of stem cells is umbilical cord blood. After childbirth, the umbilical cord is normally discarded by medical staff, but saving umbilical cord blood is a simple process that parents can request.

[cherry]

@Carmie  there are other sources of stem cells available

[Mominohio]

Some forms may be hereditary. 

My great aunt and uncles all had it (five siblings total, in the same generation). Now several of their children are being diagnosed. 

[Carmie]

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@cherrywrote:

@Carmie  there are other sources of stem cells available

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Yes, I know.  I would have to know where they came from before I  would use them.

[cherry]

I feel the same way @Carmie, but, if  I knew it was not from a fetus, I would use them

[sophiamarie]

I was diagnosed with the "dry" form of MD about 4 years ago.  Then, after cataract surgery on both eyes, I had a routine appt. with my retina specialist.  They always take pictures of both eyes and when he looked at them, he said "uh oh, I see a problem".... I had "retinal drip" ..... in  my right eye.

At first he thought it might be an inflammation from the cataract surgery and he gave me anti-biotic drops to put in my eye for just one week.  After that week, the picture still showed I still had it.  So, I went on to the injections.  At first, it was a drug called "Avastin", which happened to be a chemotherapy drug that was found to be helpful in the wet form of MD.  I went every 4-6 weeks for my injections.

Then, in August of 2015, he started me on the drug called Eylea, which is specifically for wet MD.  I was on the Avastin for one year, since 8/2014.  I got my first EYLEA injection on 9/2015.

I have been going for injections every 8 weeks for about 2 years now.  My vision was never compromised and is 20/20 in that eye and 20/30 in my "good" eye (left).....  Last week, I got my 26th injection.  So far, so good.

I am very lucky in that I have a great Retina Specialist.  He was trained at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.  

For anyone who has to have these injections, don't let people scare you.  They use plenty of numbing drops and gel and I have never felt anything.  In fact, we even have a video taken by my husband, just in case somebody might think otherwise.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

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@cherrywrote:

I feel the same way @Carmie, but, if  I knew it was not from a fetus, I would use them

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The article stated that embryonic stem cells were used on the two patients.

[cherry]

This is early days in this sort of treatment @JeanLouiseFinch. It is just  in the preliminary/expermental  stages, as it advances it might not be this way

It also might not matter to some, not everyone feels as @Carmie and I do

[DrakesMomma]

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@JaneMarplewrote:

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@DrakesMommawrote:

@cherry- good! I go 6 times a year.  I hope the eye doc catches something before I see something happening.  

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Wow @DrakesMomma 6 times a year? All the best to you and her's hoping your doctor is up on the latest information. 

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Yes, @JaneMarple, 6 times a year.  She gives me different eye tests and looks at my eye health.  Without the test the insurance won't consider the visit for payment.  Go figure.

My eye doc loves her job.  I trust her with my vision.