The
MIT Technology Review reports on progress towards
regenerative medicine for blindness: "Scientists are taking the first major step in using
stem cells to replace
retinal cells lost to degenerative eye diseases such as
macular degeneration and
retinitis pigmentosa. ... [researchers] can reliably make retinal cells from
embryonic stem cells. The researchers are now implanting the cells into blind animals to see if the cells can restore vision. ... If we can replace the
photoreceptors, we think we can restore vision. ... The researchers don't yet know if the cells can actually integrate into the complex circuitry of the eye to restore vision, but early results are promising. ... We should know within the next year if the cells can restore vision."
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http://www.technologyreview.com/printer_friendly_article.aspx?id=17307
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