Amazing Breakthrough or freak occurrence?

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   http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7379745.stm

The story of the man who re-grew a finger using "pixie-dust" has captured the imagination of many this week. 
But a number of scientists have cast cold-water over the claims - and said it may have been a "natural" miracle. 
Lee Spievak, 69, chopped off part of his finger - said to be almost down to the first joint - in a model aeroplane accident in 2005. 
His brother was working in the field of regenerative medicine, with Dr Stephen Badylak at the University of Pittsburgh. 
They provided Mr Spievak, who lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with the "pixie-dust" - more accurately called extracellular matrix, which he sprinkled on his finger. 

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MartinW Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator in Command Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Location: United Kingdom Points: 26722	Post Options Post Reply Quote MartinW Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Amazing Breakthrough or freak occurrence? Posted: 03 May 2008 at 3:27pm
	http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7379745.stm The story of the man who re-grew a finger using "pixie-dust" has captured the imagination of many this week. But a number of scientists have cast cold-water over the claims - and said it may have been a "natural" miracle. Lee Spievak, 69, chopped off part of his finger - said to be almost down to the first joint - in a model aeroplane accident in 2005. His brother was working in the field of regenerative medicine, with Dr Stephen Badylak at the University of Pittsburgh. They provided Mr Spievak, who lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with the "pixie-dust" - more accurately called extracellular matrix, which he sprinkled on his finger.

MartinW Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator in Command Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Location: United Kingdom Points: 26722	Post Options Post Reply Quote MartinW Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 May 2008 at 3:49pm
	The Audio. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7379864.stm

Rich Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Just Flight Staff Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Location: Planet Earth Points: 8543	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rich Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 May 2008 at 4:10pm
	I saw this. My first thought was that it was a hoax. I would have thought if someone had managed to crack growing back fingers etc it would have been bigger news. The guys finger was apparently 6 weeks old but the finger nail was fully formed and identical in colouring to his others. Just seemed a little fishy to me


VulcanB2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Chief Pilot Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Points: 13365	Post Options Post Reply Quote VulcanB2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 May 2008 at 4:53pm
	Hmm.... "If it's too good to be true, it usually is". I'll stick with that! Best regards, Vulcan.

Magic Man Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Chief Pilot Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Location: South Wales Points: 5336	Post Options Post Reply Quote Magic Man Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 May 2008 at 7:50pm
	You can see from the photos that rather than being "almost down to the first joint" it was not much more than just the fleshy tip of the finger pad, the nail was intact.

MartinW Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator in Command Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Location: United Kingdom Points: 26722	Post Options Post Reply Quote MartinW Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 May 2008 at 8:09pm
	It will be done, but not with a sprinkle of a powder. Life sprung up on this world from the oceans, all of us have the DNA dormant inside us of other creatures. We even have reptilian DNA. We may be able to activate the ability some reptiles have of growing new limbs, but it will be with gene therapy. It's recently been discovered that human skin cells can be turned back to their embryonic state. In this state they have the capability to become any tissue in the body. The idea of unlocking the dormant capabilities in our bodies that give animals like Salamanders such formidable powers of recovery are a step closer. They have the same capabilities as embryonic stem cells so the ethical dilemma that some feel is taken away also. Cellular alchemy here we come!