The article I read detailed how embryonic stem cells were used to successfully treat two legally blind patients with an eye disease. There were many concerns that the embryonic stem cells would not work or would cause dangerous side effects. However, four months after the women were treated they showed no signs of side effects or signs of rejecting the cells. They also didn't develop any tumors or growths that have sometimes been seen in animal testing.
Their vision also substantially improved. One of the women went from only being to see motions to being able to read a few letters on an eye chart.
It's still a long time coming before the scientists will be able to claim complete success, but this is a major step forward for embryonic stem cell research.
The article I used can be found at http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2012/01/embryonic-stem-cells-appear-safe.html?ref=hp
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