Eyesight to the Blind?

A revolutionary stem cell treatment developed by British scientists could restore sight in the blind.

In a world first, blindness has been cured by replacing worn out and damaged retinal cells with stem cells.

Is it more than a just a little odd that you have to read three-quarters of the way through this article before you find out that the stem cells in question are not harvested from embryos, but rather are adult cells from the patient's own eyes?

While stem cells are often obtained from embryos in the first days of life, it is thought the patient's own eye could hold a bank of cells suitable for transplant.

Researcher Professor Robin Ali, of University College London's Institute of Ophthalmology, said: "Recent research has shown that a population of cells found on the margin of the adult retina have stem cell-like properties, in other words, they are capable of self-renewal.

"These could be harvested through minor surgery and grown in the lab before being re-implanted onto the retina."

Using the patient's own cells would also avoid the possibility of 'foreign' cells being rejected by the body.

Remember: adult stem cells have been the only stem cell treatments that have yielded results. Take note, Mr Fox.