Korea: Umbilical Stem Cells To Be Tested For Treatment of Blindness
Related News: Stem Cells and BlindnessA Chosun University professor said he will seek the South Korean's government's permission to use stem cells on retinal cells of five blind people.
Professor Song Chang-hun said his team wants the government to permit stem cell trials on the five people who lost their sight due to retinitis pigmentosa, the Korea Times reported Saturday.
"We plan to isolate stem cells from umbilical cord blood and inject them into retinal cells after getting approvals from the Korea Food and Drug Administration," Song said.
The stem cells are used from umbilical cord blood, which is usually discarded after the birth of a baby.
The government agency had a meeting with the five patients and Song's team last month on the breakthrough therapy.
Posted on February 14, 2005 08:13 PM