The most advanced stem cell research is occuring in Australia at the moment. India isn't even on the map because they simply don't have the resources. I just wanted to get that out of the way to start this post.
Contrary to "popular" belief, embryonic stem cell research is done here in the United States. The problem is that most of it is not funded by the federal goverment (there is some state funded research as well as privately funded research). The labs that are funded by the federal goverment have embryonic stem cell lines that were created prior to the federal government enacting legislation to halt funding to embryonic stem cell research. All other labs that use "newer" embryonic stem cell lines have to be funded by the state or privately as I said.
We are ahead of India and most countries (not all) when it comes to this type of research . . . believe me. Most of the best science is done right here because we have the most money and the most scientists. There is no disputing this. I was a scientist myself for nearly a decade so I can speak on the subject.
As far as any stem cell therapy that is touted to help people with ALS: it is completely bogus at the moment. They aren't close to any human protocols . . . or animal protocols for that matter. The research continues however and they are making strides.
Here is the reason stem cell therapy doesn't work as of this moment:
Stem cells more or less take-on the properties of the cells they are replacing. If stem cells were to be put in the spinal cord and/or brain of those with ALS, those cells would more than likely differentiate into the same dying neurons.
Another related point:
Let's just say for sake of argument, the new stem cells differentiated into healthy neurons. They would then have to grow axons (axons are what make-up nerves) out to the muscles they are supposed to innervate (axons can be in excess of 3 feet long depending on the muscles they are growing out to). Given the fact that axons grow at a rate of about 1 to 2mm a day (25 mm is an inch by the way), that means it would take about a month for them to grow about an inch.
So for those people that say they get immediate benefits from stem cell therapy aren't getting it because of the stem cells. It is either a placebo effect or they're lying. Once again, it is totally bogus and a complete waste of money (at the moment).
What needs to be done:
The scientists have to figure out what is causing the neurons to die. Once they fix that, the stem cells will be successful. Stem cells are more than likely not going to be the thing that cures ALS. If they can get a protocol worked out, it might slow the process, but it will more than likely not fix the underlying cause.
In my opinion, it will more than likely be genetic engineering that will cure ALS (and there is plenty of that type of research going on in the U.S. and we are at the forefront) coupled with stem cells.
By the way: genetic causes and familial causes of a disease are two different things, so the genetic engineering will benefit those with sporadic ALS as well as familial ALS.
One last thing I want to discuss:
There are a few labs in the world that have shown they can turn ordinary cells into pluripotent stem cells. Pluripotent stem cells are cells that can turn into any type of cell, which is what embryonic stem cells can do. If they can successfully develop that technique, the argument over embryonic stem cells will be moot, because we simply will not need them.
P.S. They produced those pluripotent stem cells via genetic engineering
P.S.S. I hope this doesn't discourage anyone from hoping . . . because there is a lot of research going on right now . . . so there is every reason for hope. Everyday is one day closer to a cure.
