Comments on: Gene Therapy Cures Color Blindness in Monkeys

By: John Lerch

John Lerch — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:26:53 +0000

I’ve been complaining about Discover’s reporting, so I need to send kudos too. The information that the monkeys somehow saw color without creating new neural pathways was right on.
And relative to the silly comment that monkeys had to die for this experiment,–there certainly isn’t any evidence that any monkey died. And MORE IMPORTANTLY as the researcher commented if the same experiment were successfully done to a human, he’d be saying Oh WOW! I.E. instead of harming the monkeys they enhanced their quality of living.

By: Joel

Joel — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 10:45:38 +0000

@jesseca If it wasn’t for numerous research on different animals everyone would have polio right now, please take the time to quit embracing your trees and broaden your knowledge on both sides of the table.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:19:33 +0000

DARPA should probably fund studies on visual spectrum enhancement in squirrel monkeys (none need die; the monkey’s behavior tells all). I’d start with IR and then go for UV. The next step is human trials. As an artist, I volunteer so that I may convey the results visually; as a scientist, I volunteer for the sake of exploration; as an engineer, I volunteer for the sake of progress. I’ll offer my left eye only, with my right eye as a control. As for curing disease, let’s start with this project as a basis for further exlorations in enhanciing or repairing the human nervous system, starting with the retina.

By: Claire Warton

Claire Warton — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:04:42 +0000

To genetic scientists, I have a question. Is anyone willing to try Mimiviruses skills to create , with the use of stem cells, T-cell repellant Myelin? New undamaged/undamageable neuronal pathways for humans? New pathways have been achieved for mice and dogs, but not for humans. Would Pigs be the next mammal to try, since their heart valves are used in Human Cardiac Surgery with success? How far up the train of Species would one need to go before feeling it safe to try on Humans?

I am living with the effects of Multiple Sclerosis, this my 28th year, at age 50. Perhaps people who have signed up as organ donors when they die could also have the option of artificial life sustenance. At that stage, if cause of coma or near death is a brain injury, when there is every sign that the brain is no longer viable, new neuronal pathways could be introduced. I do ask very sincerely as I know this would advance medicine for all sorts of Neurological damage. Perhaps Christopher Reeves did not have to die if scientists had been given more support to pursue new neuronal pathways. I do not know how the eyes can be selected for treatment as an isolated organ. Do the neurons diversify on their on to areas of malfunction or damage?

I wish to create a Corporation to fund Neuroscience research in this area. This is impossible if their is no scientist globally who would like to take on the work. Much is being done in the way of stem cells to create new organs, but nothing to counteract vulnerable Myelin. Please contact me at Claire@Warton.org. You may also contact my husband Peter at peter.warton@intel.org. Thank you. We look forward to your reply.

By: Hyldren

Hyldren — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 02:33:24 +0000

Because of risks of rampant immune response in non-eye gene therapy..Good luck…

By: Hyldren Shelton

Hyldren Shelton — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:42:21 +0000

I have Chordoma tumors in lower spine why can’t they do gene therapy on me? Look up on the internet for Chordoma.org.foundation.
Thank you, if you can get back to me real soon…

By: jesseca

jesseca — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:31:50 +0000

it’s exciting yes, but then you think about how many monkeys had to die for this study and it makes you wonder.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:11:08 +0000

forget ultraviolet or infrared. i just want my color vision!

By: Christina Viering

Christina Viering — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:34:55 +0000

Fascinating study!

By: nick

nick — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:24:31 +0000

“One very speculative and futuristic possibility is that of using gene therapy to equip humans to see ranges of light invisible to them at present, such as ultraviolet or infrared light. Some birds and reptiles can sense UV light, for example, and some fish can sense wavelengths approaching those in the infrared.”

Put me down on the waiting list.