London, Nov 20: In what’s claimed to be a ground -breaking research, scientists are to use embryonic stem cell therapy “to cure blindness” in people.
Clinical trials of the treatment for Stargardt’s disease — a rare, incurable eye disease that causes blindness early in adulthood — are expected to begin next year, British newspaper ‘The Times’ reported.
And if the research is cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration, 12 patients with Stargardt’s disease, involved in the trial, could become the world’s first to receive such treatment based on embryonic stem cells.
Lead scientist Robert Lanza of the Advanced Cell Technology described the application as an important advance.
“After years of research and political debate, we’re finally on the verge of showing the potential clinical value of embryonic stem cells.
“Our research clearly shows that stem cell-derived retinal cells can rescue visual function in animals that otherwise would have gone blind.
–PTI