• Question: Hi Luke I think your idea is brilliant! Just a question would people be able to donate their stem cells to make new organs and donate them? or is it for people who already know that their organ is failing if yes then would they HAVE to donate for anyone or could they say in their will that they don't or: want donate to a single person in particular?

    Asked by kelliebananagirl393 :) to Luke on 11 Mar 2018.
    • Photo: Luke Williams

      Luke Williams answered on 11 Mar 2018:

      Thank you!

      There are two types of stem cell treatment, they are called autologous and allogenic. In autologous treatments, you donate stem cells and they are processed and then given back to you. This is better because your body will recognise them as your own cells.

      Allogenic treatments are where the same stem cells are given to many people. These names are not just for stem cells – one common allogenic treatment is a blood transfusion.

      There is research going on in both areas because it can be very difficult to grow stem cells, depending on the type of cell and what you want to do. So to answer your question – treatments that I have heard about include regenerating a heart after a heart attack, stopping someone going blind because the eye “wears out”, and even replacing the windpipe. I believe in all these cases they use stem cells from the patient. There is a lot of research going on and a lot of people working very hard to come up with new treatments though.

      In terms of donating cells, this isn’t an area I know a lot about, however you can sign up like a blood donor: https://www.anthonynolan.org/8-ways-you-could-save-life/donate-your-stem-cells

      There are not very many stem cell treatments yet in the hospital, but that’s one of them, and it is very effective. We are not yet at the stage of whole new organs.

      I hope that this has answered your question – if not, let me know!

Comments

  • Photo: kelliebananagirl393 :)

    kelliebananagirl393 :) commented on :

    Thank you for your reply. I understand a bit more on how stem cells work and did not know there were different types!
    I think there should be more stem cells treatments in hospitals as your idea could be (and already is) life-changing. I think life saving experiments and ideas are one of the most important areas in science your idea (in my opinion anyway) will definitely win!!!

    • Photo: Luke

      Luke commented on :

      Thank you!

      There are a lot of experiments being done with stem cells, both at universities and in hospitals. When there is a treatment that scientists think could work, then they may conduct a clinical trial. This is where the treatment is given in a hospital to see if it works. To begin with, some treatments are given to healthy people if possible – this is to check whether they are safe. Sometimes it is not possible to do this, so they start with people who really need the treatment. This often happens with illnesses like cancer. Once everyone is sure that a treatment is safe and works well, then it will be considered for general use in hospitals.