The SAR MAGAZINE is the official quarterly publication of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution published quarterly.
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Could Stem Cells be the Next Penicillin? By David Ebner, staff writer Chances are that you have heard about stem cells, but did you know that they are being used today in the United States to treat debilitating lung diseases? Suferers of diseases like COPD are receiving life changing stem cell treatments that just a few short years ago had not been thought possible. With further advancements in the study of stem cells, the question is posed: are stem cells the next penicillin? Stem cells and penicillin both come from humble beginnings, both are used to treat life-threatening conditions, and, just like peni- cillin, stem cell biologists were awarded a Nobel Prize. Originally discovered in 1928, the full potential of penicillin was not seen until its wide use in WWII. It wasn't until 1945 that penicillin researchers received the Nobel Prize. By that time, the medication had saved millions of lives. Stem cells have also been studied extensively since the mid-twentieth century. The stem cells that are being used today to treat diseases in the Unit- ed States are adult stem cells, meaning they are taken from a patient's own body. Stem cells harvested from the patient's own fat, blood or bone marrow are used to treat debili- tating lung diseases. According to a clinic in Scottsdale, the Lung Institute, harnessing the healing power of stem cells slows the pro- gression of the disease, reduc- es infammation and restores lung function. The Lung Insti- tute's website, lunginstitute.com, states that they have completed over 1,000 such treatments using stem cell therapy to date. Just as penicillin is recognized as a staple in medicine today, stem cells are the future of gen- eral healthcare. If the number of people who have seen success from stem cell therapy is any indication, then it will undoubt- edly be heralded as one of the groundbreaking medical tech- nologies of our time. The discovery of penicillin was an early example of ground breaking medical advancements changing the course of modern medicine. Stem Cells: The Next Big Thing Lung disease accounts for the loss of 150,000 lives every year and is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Specialists using stem cells from the patient's own body can offer treatment for people suffering from lung diseases like: ■ COPD ■ Pulmonary Fibrosis ■ Emphysema ■ Interstitial Lung Disease ■ Chronic Bronchitis With clinics located in Scottsdale, Arizona; Nashville, Tennessee; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Tampa, Florida, the physicians at the Lung Institute are able to treat patients from anywhere in the United States and around the world. If you or a loved one suffers from a chronic lung disease, contact the Lung Institute to fnd out if stem cell treatments are right for you. Call (855) 824-2852 to fnd out if you qualify or visit lunginstitute.com/SAR No fetal or embryonic stem cells are utilized in Lung Institute's procedures. All treatments performed at Lung Institute utilize autologous stem cells, meaning those derived from a patient's own body. ADVERTISEMENT