If you’re reading this blog you probably know a whole lot about Cells and Cell research already. We are also sure you know that Plexus is India’s first ISO-Certified Cell research centre.
So, who better than our founder and India’s top Cell specialist, Dr Na’eem Sadiq, to bust some of the most common myths and misconceptions about Cells and Cell therapy.
Myth #1 Cell therapy is painful
Nope! Cell therapy quite literally involves two pricks. The first is when we procure the Cells from the mature tissues in the patient’s body (in autologous therapy). The second is when we inject the cultured Cells back into the patient’s body.
You may experience slight discomfort or swelling at the site of the prick. But this is temporary.
Myth #2 Donating Cells is dangerous
There are no risks in donating Cells. On the contrary, you’ll be saving a life.
Myth #3 Cells can cure all diseases
Not yet. Cells can “treat” a lot of conditions and reduce the severity of symptoms.
Cells have been known to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from:
- Inflammatory conditions
- Orthopaedic conditions
- Trauma-induced conditions
- Autoimmune diseases
- Neurological disorders
- Metabolic disorders
- Hematopoietic diseases
- Cardiovascular illnesses
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Kidney disorders
- Lung disease
- Liver disorders
- Cancers
- Skin disorders
- Ocular disorders
However, there is still a lot of research underway to understand the potential of Cells.
And perhaps some day, Cells may be able to cure life-threatening diseases too.
You can read more about the potential application of Cells here.
Myth #4 Cells are unethically sourced
Not true.
Cells are sourced from consenting adults. After procuring them, these Cells are cultured in laboratory conditions. Owing to their differentiating characteristics, laboratory-grown Cells differentiate into daughter cells which are then injected into the patient.
Read about the different types of Cells here.
Myth #5 Embryonic Cells are derived by destroying life.
Embryonic Cells (ESCs) are pluripotent Cells sourced from the inner cell mass of an embryo in its early stages of development.
While ESCs are derived from human embryos, they are derived from ‘unneeded embryos’ that are created during IVF procedures. The scientific community believes that embryos do not have life until implantation (in the uterus) or the 14th day from fertilisation.
ESCs are derived from unneeded embryos much younger than 14 days.
Due to their pluripotent nature, ESCs can be used in the management of diseases such as Parkinson’s, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions.
In 2001, President George W. Bush put a ban on the federal funding of embryonic Cell research. The government called the practice unethical because ESCs were derived by destroying embryos. However, this misconception led to what we now call Cell research controversy.
The Bush administration ban set Cell research back by decades. Many American scientists set up their laboratories in other countries to continue their research. In 2009, President Barack Obama lifted the ban.
Note: ESCs do not come from aborted or terminated foetuses either. They can only be derived from embryos younger than 14 days.
Myth #6 Cell therapy is expensive
Cell therapy offers you and your loved one a new lease on life. And you can’t really put a price on that, can you?
Nevertheless, Plexus offers customisable regenerative rehabilitation plans that can fit into your budget.
Myth #7 Cells cannot cross the blood-brain barrier
They can!
The central nervous system’s (CNS) blood vessels have the ability to control the movement of cells, molecules, and ions between the brain and the blood. This ability is called the blood-brain barrier. A common misconception about Cell therapy is that they cannot go past the blood-brain barrier.
Cells are smaller than white blood cells. In fact they’re only about 10-15 microns in size. Therefore, they can easily pass through the blood-brain barrier when injected through IV. This along with their ability to repair or regenerate neurons within the CNS makes Cells the ideal choice for managing autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis and ALS, and managing neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s, stroke, and others.
Cell therapy is still a relatively new medical marvel. However, as acceptance increases, the myths about Cell therapy will reduce too.
At Plexus Neuro and Cell Research Centre we provide customised Cell therapy plans to manage a variety of neurological conditions. Our centres in Bangalore and Hyderabad offer autologous mesenchymal Cell transplantation, meaning we work with Cells procured from the patient’s own body. This reduces the risks of immune rejection and side-effects.
If you’d like to know more about Cell therapy at Plexus, do reach out to us on the following numbers:
WhatsApp +91 89048 42087
Call +91 78159 64668 (Hyderabad) | +91 82299 99888 (Bangalore)
FAQs
What is the controversy of using Cells?
The discovery of human embryonic Cells (ESCs) led to the belief that ESCs were derived from destroyed human embryos. This led to a moral and ethical controversy. However, ESCs are derived from embryos younger than 14 days. Furthermore, these are unneeded embryos created during IVF procedures.
What are 2 possible risks of using Cells?
Immune rejection is the biggest risk of using Cells. However, autologous Cell therapy (using Cells procured from the patient’s body) does not have this risk
Other risks of Cell therapy include swelling and pain (at the site of the injection), fever, nausea, etc. You can read more about the risks of Cells in this blog.
What is amazing about Cells?
Cells are self-renewing, immunomodulatory, and differentiating progenitor cells, with the ability to secrete growth factors. This allows them to repair damaged neurons, regenerate and replace dead neurons, improve the body’s immune system, and possibly even grow entire organs.
Why are Cells so powerful?
Cells are the basis of life. All types of specialised cells generate from Cells. Their differentiating and self-renewing properties make them extremely powerful and valuable for the management of several chronic health conditions.
