Scotland: Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine

As life-expectancy lengthens and Scotland’s population ages, more people have health complications that severely limit their quality of life. The number of people with end-stage liver disease has increased significantly, leading to a demand for more livers than are available for transplant. Many people on waitlists die each year. Stem cells hold a great deal of promise to solve this and other problems for patients experiencing the detrimental effects of disease. Stem cells are not only able to replicate themselves; they can change and grow into almost any type of cell in the body. It is possible that one day stem cells will be used to fight cancer, treat heart disease, and repair brain [Page 1005]injury. In Scotland’s population of those with end-stage liver cancer, ...