Source: New York Times
Date: March 29, 2007
Summary:
The New York Times reports on new research using stem cells from umbilical cord blood to develop treatments to repair ligament and tendon damage from sports injuries:
"The latest curative leap to heal professional athletes and weekend warriors alike may sound like science fiction, but it could transform sports medicine. Some doctors and researchers say that in a few years the use of primitive stem cells from infants’ umbilical cord blood could grow new knee ligaments or elbow tendons creating a therapy that becomes the vanguard of sports injury repair."
The article continues, "Stem cell therapies could do more than refurbish joints, they could help build muscle in elite athletes and increase other physical capacities at a pace and proficiency not conventionally attainable."
Commentary:
Maybe the fact that some sports injures are not necessarily life-threatening might slow this area of regenerative medicine because more scientists are currently focused on stem cell applications for health conditions that are life-threatening, instead of career-threatening for athletes. On the other hand, this research may yield improvements in quality of life for people who have suffered sports-related injuries.
