Could Stem Cell Treatment Cure Paralysis from Auto Accident

I have seen many debilitating injuries that resulted from serious auto accidents during my time as a Seattle car accident lawyer in a Bellevue law firm. Head trauma, broken bones, and spinal cord injuries that come from car accidents can result in permanent damage such as paralysis. The victim’s life can be changed forever by these devastating injuries because of long term medical care and costs, inability to do the activities required for their job, and added pressure on friends and family. Six months ago, a group of Atlanta doctors began conducting experiments on a human patient to determine the effects and safety of the use of stem cells to cure spinal cord injuries.

On September 25, Timothy Atchison of Chatom, Alabama, was involved in a serious car accident that required emergency medical treatment due to spinal cord injuries. He was first treated at a regional medical center and then he was transferred to Shepard Center in Atlanta which specializes in spinal cord injuries. After 13 days, Atchison decided to allow doctors to inject 2 million embryonic stem cells into his spine. The drug repaired damaged spinal cords in experiments with rats, but no human trials have been recorded. This FDA approved experiment was meant to see the safety of the process and whether or not stem cells can restore sensation and mobility when infused into an injured spinal cord.

Both proponents, who believe that embryonic stem cell research could revolutionize medicine, and opponents, who object mainly on moral grounds, will be watching closely to see the results of the experiment. When asked about his condition, Atchison said that he is doing well, but he is unable to say anything else because he is working on a book to tell his story.

The use of embryonic stem cells in the treatment of spinal cord injuries could lead to a cure for spinal cord injuries if the experiment is successful. In America, there are 250,000 people living with spinal cord injuries. Whether it is a serious injury or a minor injury, it affects the everyday life of the victim. There are two classifications of spinal cord injuries. First, there is an incomplete spinal cord injury which allows the victim to keep sensation and movement below the injury. The second classification is complete spinal cord injuries, which result in paralysis. Although there is currently no cure for either kind of spinal cord injuries, the results of this experiment could be an important step towards finding one.