Stem cells

Wired News: Stem Cells Mend Spinal Cords:

Genetically engineered stem cells can help rats’ severed spinal cords grow back together, according to a study published Tuesday.

Rats given the treatment, using stem cells taken from rat embryos, could move their legs again after their spines were severed in the lab, said the researchers’ report in the Journal of Neuroscience.

The scientists hope the approach, which generated a new fatty cover for the spinal cord cells called the myelin sheath, also could be shown to work in people.

This, and Billy "Catkiller" Frist's flip-flop on embryonic stem cell research funding make it an exciting week for stem cells.

I don't see this as Frist making a principled stand in favor of saving lives. Maybe I'm too cynical, but it looks like payback for the decision, soon to be announced, to give Bolton a recess appointment, circumventing the Senate.

Or maybe he figured his payoff for whoring himself over the Schiavo nonsense wasn't big enough, and he's taking a new tack.

Or maybe Bush is a lame duck, and he wants to get off the band wagon.