Fix me.

Date:
2009
  • Videos

About this work

Description

Three young people with untreatable conditions come face-to-face with scientists who believe they are on the cusp of finding a cure using embryonic stem cells. Sophie Morgan's spinal cord was damaged in a car accident, leaving her paralysed from the waist down. Anthony Bath had to have his leg amputated following a rugby accident. Dean Third has dilated cardiomyopathy which is killing the muscles of his heart. However, there are risks with using embryonic stem cells as they can grow out of control and form into tumours, there are also problems with countries (particularly China and India) making claims of cure and charging large sums of money for unverified treatments using stem cells. Each of the people featured in this programme, however, choose to meet those working at the forefront of experimental research into stem cells. Dean takes part in an experiment at the London Chest Clinic which aims to inject his own adult stem cells into damaged areas of his heart in the hope of regeneration. Anthony meets David Gardner in California who is researching the regenerative mechanisms of axolotl salamanders in order to see if amputated limbs can be encouraged to grow back through the use of stem cells. Steve Wolf has developed what he's called 'pixie dust', a powder derived from high protein pigs bladders, which he believes, when inserted into a wound, will encourage the growth of stem cells to regenerate missing fingers and limbs. Dean, meanwhile, meets Doris Atylor in Minnesota who is working with growing new hearts in the laboratory. Sophie travels to the Reeve-Irvine centre where they are making big advances in using embryonic stem cells to treat spinal cord injuries.

Publication/Creation

UK : BBC2, 2009.

Physical description

1 DVD (60 min.) : sound, color, PAL.

Series

Copyright note

BBC

Notes

Broadcast on 27 October, 2009

Creator/production credits

Filmed and directed by Alex Steinitz.

Type/Technique

Languages

Where to find it

  • LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    4628D

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