Researchers in Utah are testing adult stem cells as a way to prevent or treat acute kidney failure.
They are recruiting 15 patients and will inject their kidneys with bone-marrow stem cells from healthy donors. Two patients have been injected so far and are suffering no complications.
In animal testing, the procedure was successful in promoting the survival and growth of kidney cells so the organ could repair itself.
"Adult stem-cell research continues to move forward with tangible therapy for patients," said Dawn Vargo, bioethics analyst for Focus on the Family Action. "With more than 2,000 federally funded clinical trials being done with adult stem cells, this ethical research far surpasses the unethical, unproven embryonic stem-cell research."
— Devon Williams
