Man cured of HIV after stem cell treatment.

tSwitch · February 12, 2009, 05:13:46 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/11/health.hiv.stemcell/index.html?eref=rss_mostpopular

=o

madriel222 · February 12, 2009, 05:21:46 PM

I find it ironic that we dump millions of dollars into HIV/AIDS research and an effective treatment comes out of an accident (or at least not on purpose). Great find, haven't seen that one before.

tSwitch · February 12, 2009, 05:26:08 PM

Quote from: madriel222 on February 12, 2009, 05:21:46 PM
I find it ironic that we dump millions of dollars into HIV/AIDS research and an effective treatment comes out of an accident (or at least not on purpose). Great find, haven't seen that one before.

it's stem cells though.
it'll never be widely used.

modern algebra · February 12, 2009, 08:27:01 PM

Quote from: NAMKCOR on February 12, 2009, 05:26:08 PM
Quote from: madriel222 on February 12, 2009, 05:21:46 PM
I find it ironic that we dump millions of dollars into HIV/AIDS research and an effective treatment comes out of an accident (or at least not on purpose). Great find, haven't seen that one before.

it's stem cells though.
it'll never be widely used.

Adult stem cells though, not embryonic. Nobody has a problem with adult stem cells.

But yeah, it's a risky procedure. Must be totally awesome for that guy though.

SirJackRex · February 12, 2009, 09:05:10 PM

That's pretty damn sweet. Although, yeah, they won't gain any heavy usage, for probably a LONG time.

Quote from: Modern Algebra on February 12, 2009, 08:27:01 PM
Quote from: NAMKCOR on February 12, 2009, 05:26:08 PM
Quote from: madriel222 on February 12, 2009, 05:21:46 PM
I find it ironic that we dump millions of dollars into HIV/AIDS research and an effective treatment comes out of an accident (or at least not on purpose). Great find, haven't seen that one before.

it's stem cells though.
it'll never be widely used.

Adult stem cells though, not embryonic. Nobody has a problem with adult stem cells.

But yeah, it's a risky procedure. Must be totally awesome for that guy though.

Aren't they gathered from your mouth? Much safer than babies... =x

MrMoo · February 12, 2009, 09:30:32 PM

I think they come from bone marrow. And if I recall, adult stem cells are different than baby ones, because embryo stem cells can create any human tissue. Adult stem cells are specific to certain parts of the body.
Either way, this is great news for a lot of people.

tSwitch · February 12, 2009, 10:30:09 PM

not really, Moo
it's a very risky treatment if you read the whole article.
it's not likely to be widespread

Holkeye · February 13, 2009, 04:23:06 AM

Risky cure for HIV vs. impending AIDS and death...

Gee, I wonder which one I would choose.

modern algebra · February 13, 2009, 04:31:33 AM

Quote from: Holk on February 13, 2009, 04:23:06 AM
Risky cure for HIV vs. impending AIDS and death...

Gee, I wonder which one I would choose.

I'd probably choose impending AIDS and death, actually. After all, people can be HIV+ for years and years without it becoming AIDS, whereas 33% chance of immediate death ~ that's high.

Holkeye · February 13, 2009, 04:34:14 AM

Yeah, but a life where people alienate you because you have a disease that nobody understands. Fuck AIDS, I'd take the treatment.

modern algebra · February 13, 2009, 04:39:36 AM

Well, you don't have to go around telling everyone. And with 2.7 million new infections every year, not many do. Though I can understand choosing either route.

codemeister1990 · February 13, 2009, 05:37:34 AM

lots of inventions and medicine is made by accident
I know rubber was an accident as an example.
Just makes you question what the money you donate is really doing

Sophist · February 13, 2009, 01:17:32 PM

I bet that bro is like "FUCK MAN I CAN TAKE ON THE WORLD"

Cure for AIDS found, next is Cancer and after that we should look for a cure for stupidity. :I

tSwitch · February 13, 2009, 02:41:57 PM

Quote from: Holk on February 13, 2009, 04:23:06 AM
Risky cure for HIV vs. impending AIDS and death...

Gee, I wonder which one I would choose.

it won't be widespread because people will see the treatment as unethical.

Sophist · February 13, 2009, 10:28:07 PM

Quote from: NAMKCOR on February 13, 2009, 02:41:57 PM
Quote from: Holk on February 13, 2009, 04:23:06 AM
Risky cure for HIV vs. impending AIDS and death...

Gee, I wonder which one I would choose.

it won't be widespread because people will see the treatment as unethical.

The only widely viewed unethical treatment with stem cells is from embryonic stem cells, not from adult cells.

tSwitch · February 13, 2009, 11:33:00 PM

Quote from: Anski on February 13, 2009, 10:28:07 PM
The only widely viewed unethical treatment with stem cells is from embryonic stem cells, not from adult cells.

not the stem cell part.
the 33% risk of death part.

ahref · February 14, 2009, 02:47:48 AM

lol glycoproteins

Jonesy · February 14, 2009, 09:26:42 AM

I'm too lazy to read the article, is this a cure for HIV only, or full-blown AIDS?

ahref · February 14, 2009, 03:50:48 PM

sigh HIV causes AIDS. so without HIV, AIDS is nothing more than a defficiency of white blood cells which can be made again

.

This "treatment" mutates the white blood cells so HIV cant get into them.

Jonesy · February 14, 2009, 08:27:46 PM

Aha, I didn't actually know that, but it makes sense, and I recall it from the depth of my mind.

In that case it's an amazing discovery, I wonder at what point the treatment becomes ineffective. Otherwise, one could wait until their last year and get the treatment.

the_mantic · February 15, 2009, 09:45:41 AM

Wow. This is huge. This disease went from virtually non-existent in my parent's youth, to prominence slightly before I was born, to near epidemic in my lifetime, and finally a case has been cured.