Is Regenerative Medicine Hype or Hope?

We live in exciting times. A cure for diabetes, which afflicts millions of people around the world, is within our grasp. Treatments for Parkinsons and Alzheimers seem possible within a decade or two. Accidents which would have paralyzed us, like "Superman" Christopher Reeve, may become treatable in the future, and diseases like muscular dystrophy, which slowly rip children from their parents, may be reversed. Heart failure may be reversed or prevented by minimally invasive delivery of stem cells. The promise for regenerative medicine therapies is vast. As we navigate our way through this complex field, it is important to understand that behind all scientific advancements lie years of research. Regenerative medicine - hype vs. hope?

Alan J. Russell is Distinguished University Professor of Surgery and the Founding Director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative, Inc., as well as a consultant for UPMC's International and Commercial Services Division.

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[GoVir4l]

@SidandCoke - B/c the general public are mostly a bunch of idiots.

[103SideProjects]

@SidandCoke What it needs is booty-shaking cats that lip-sync and fight.

[SidandCoke]

I despair that videos on such important topics can muster only a few hundred views....

[Air420]

Great talk, great technology.