German doctors have announced that a man who was given a transplant of his own stem cells to repair heart tissue after a heart attack has been an unquestionable success. Tests carried out 10-weeks after the pioneering transplant took place have revealed that the strength of the man’s heart has improved significantly, furthermore the condition of six other transplant patients has also improved. Bodo Eckehard Strauer, the cardiac specialist who carried out the transplants, said: “The results of the treatments show the huge potential of adult stem cells.” The use of adult stem cell removes the ethical dilemma that is attached to the use of embryonic stem cells, in addition the use of a person’s own stem cell to repair damaged tissue eliminates any possibility that the transplanted cells may be rejected by the patient.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.reutershealth.com on the 24th August 2001
