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Researchers grow kidney tissue from stem cells for first time

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i think Yamanaka and Britain’s John Gurdon were jointly honored for work on the key ingredient in the vision of regenerative medicine.

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All those naysayers, what have you done ?

Have you done any research yourself or donated some money so that we can get practical use of this breakthrough a little earlier ?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

A quote from the article says it best:

We must refrain from hyping optimism among patients because to do so is to ignore the most difficult part of the efforts to create kidneys.

Let's be clear - all these researchers have done is make a small bit of a tube that's found in a kidney. There are still many other parts of the kidney that haven't been addressed - much less gotten to work together. The equivilent would be to grow a bit of a vein and expect a fully-functioning heart to be just around the corner. It's. Not. Happening. At least not in my lifetime. For a kidney, there are nerves and blood vessels that also need to be accounted for. The tissue of the kidney that actually produces the urine sill needs to be addressed. Yes this is a news-worthy advance, but they literally are only "at the foot of the mountain they will need to climb to get a functioning kidney."

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The problem with this continual stream of stem cell research broadcasts are the rollercoaster of emotions that false hope brings with them to the people dying right now of the various illness they claim stem cells will cure.

No one is creating "false hope" except for those who don't understand the nature of scientific research. This discovery is a spectacular advance, but it's just a first step of many. Does anyone expect scientists to stay cloistered until they have a final solution to kidney disease? Of course not. Advances get reported and peer reviewed and tested. Then the next step is taken, then the next. I understand that the people who need these advances now aren't being impatient or unreasonable, but this is science, not fairy tales.

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@TumbleDry

It's what Elbuda just said above this post. People with Kidney problems can expect their condition to degrade very quickly, kidneys cannot keep up forever once they have major problems. The problem with this continual stream of stem cell research broadcasts are the rollercoaster of emotions that false hope brings with them to the people dying right now of the various illness they claim stem cells will cure. I mean, be honest here, do you really think that they'll be able to use this on a human's kidney within the next year or two? Not a chance. People have to learn to cope with their illnesses and face reality until a true, available, alternate reality of a REAL cure comes around.

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Sorry Papi, we do not have 200 years, people are dying NOW!! They need new kidneys, hearts, etc...NOW!!

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jumpultimatestars

This is fundamental research at this stage. You have to be patient. If you think this is useless, I dare you not to use regenerative technologies based on that research in the future.

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A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step!

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In the meantime,I would suggest the US where certain doctors are utilizing stem cell techniques to treat patients right now.....

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Dont get happy too fast. As Semperfi said, I takes A LOT of testing, first animals, then humans which requires all kinds of approvements which takes at least 5 years, not to mention the paperwork that goes along with it, and this being Japan, quadruple the paperwork. so id say in 200 years they might have something working. maybe.

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All of these hypothetical "advances" are meaningless unless they're actually ever put into practice and saves someones life... come on now, we've been experimenting with stem cells for decades... Enough of these pseudo discovery claims, we already know it has the "potential" to make us almost immune to death, but we're tired of just the "potential".

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This is a HUGE breakthrough ! . . . . .. . I have a loved one who is on dialysis now, and am praying that this IPS procedure will be available soon. . . . .God bless these guys !!!!!!!!

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kurisupisu: - - - it takes TIME and lots of testing to transfer the knowledge into real practice. . . .Besides, if you knew anything about J Research methods you would understand that J researchers are excruciatingly, exceedingly thorough in ensuring BOTH thereapeutic EFFICACY and SAFETY

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And for my father in law here in Tokyo too!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Cool! Now if they can do this for my younger brother back in California!! He needs kidneys real bad!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

It is frustrating to read of Japanese advances in this type of research yet with little in the way of practical treatments being offered in hospitals here....

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