How much longer?

[Keith]

We keep on talking about stem cells, cord blood, all the money going into private funding, clinical trials going on, lots of things happening. When are we going to hear the magic words that they can repair sci??? And getting to be too much like work to stay in shape & expensive. Well any positive thoughts would be appreciated.

[Tufelhunden]

8.333 years.

[XYNaPSE]

Hey just relax mate, maybe you'll live through this. ...

[donz]

The unknowns make the task of remaining optimistic, a daunting one. There are reasons for hope and nothing to be gained from pessimism is how I try to force myself to see it. Sarcasm aside, just keep the faith no one can predict the future.

[Wise Young]

We keep on talking about stem cells, cord blood, all the money going into private funding, clinical trials going on, lots of things happening. When are we going to hear the magic words that they can repair sci??? And getting to be too much like work to stay in shape & expensive. Well any positive thoughts would be appreciated.

Keith,

After a period of perhaps 4 years of clinical trial doldrums, there are finally some clinical trials coming on line, both in the United States and in China. We need many more, however. Not every clinical trial will be successful.

It is not unlike rolling a dice in a casino. The only difference is that if anybody wins, everybody wins.

Wise.

[chasb]

"It is not unlike rolling a dice in a casino. The only difference is that if anybody wins, everybody wins."

I like how you phrased that Dr. Young.

[vgrafen]

Please remember that success in research doesn't instantly translate to FDA/Medicare-approved therapies in the clinic. Wish it did, but wishing won't make it happen quicker.

[Cherry]

Very difficult to predict, but I would expect significant results for people with acute injuries in 7-10 years. Chronics are probably looking at 10 years, best case scenario. I think a more realistic timeline for chronics would be 15-20 years. Our best hope may be with robotics, particularly for those who have some residual function. I think the limiting factor is money. There just isn't much funding for sci research.

wcr

You 'think' being the operative word here. No offence but not even the brightest minds in science can make anywhere near as 'precise' a prediction as that you've just given. I just wouldnt want a newly injured person or indeed a relative reading that and thinking it was based on fact or some kind of inside knowledge.

The truth is no-one knows and until the day that we do we need to keep pushing on and, if we're so inclined, try to raise awareness and a few pennies for the cause along the way I can safely say with 100 percent confidence that every day is a day closer, however

[Timaru]

Or, of course, the world as we know it may come to an end before a cure is found.

Do all you can to assist in the hunt but learn to live a full life as you are.

[znop]

To Timaru:

Ditto!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a logical, short, straight to the point answer.
Have a good day.