Scientists at the French Institute of Health and Medical Research are utilizing undeveloped brain tissue from aborted fetuses to potentially ease the debilitating symptoms of Huntington’s disease, a genetic disorder cased by the progressive deterioration of brain cells. Fetal cells were injected into the brains of patients with Huntington disease. Tests showed increased brain activity, speech and articulation improvement, and successful physical activity like swimming and riding a bicycle. Patients who did not receive the injections showed a typical steady decline.
US anti-choice activists have fiercely protested against research using cells from aborted fetuses or fertility clinics’ surplus embryos. However, medical organizations including the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association support stem cell research.
