Health Alert: Genetically modified skin grown from stem cells saved a 7-year-old boy’s life

Scientists report that they genetically modified stem cells to grow skin that they successfully grafted over nearly all of a child's body — a remarkable achievement that could revolutionize treatment of burn victims and people with skin diseases. The research, published in the journal Nature, involved a 7-year-old boy who suffers from a genetic disease that makes skin so fragile that minor friction such as rubbing causes the skin to blister or come apart. The child was gravely ill, with "complete epidural loss" on about 60 percent of his body surface, in so much pain that he was on morphine, and fighting off a systemic staph infection. Traditional skin grafts did not help, but the new technique saved his life.

Democracy Dies in Darkness     Health Alert Wed, Nov 8, 2017, 1:01 PM     Genetically modified skin grown from stem cells saved a 7-year-old boy's life Scientists report that they genetically modified stem cells to grow skin that they successfully grafted over nearly all of a child's body — a remarkable achievement that could revolutionize treatment of burn victims and people with skin diseases. The research, published in the journal Nature, involved a 7-year-old boy who suffers from a genetic disease that makes skin so fragile that minor friction such as rubbing causes the skin to blister or come apart. The child was gravely ill, with "complete epidural loss" on about 60 percent of his body surface, in so much pain that he was on morphine, and fighting off a systemic staph infection. Traditional skin grafts did not help, but the new technique saved his life. Read more » Advertisement You received this email because you signed up for news alerts from The Washington Post. Manage my newsletters and alerts | Unsubscribe Privacy Policy | Help ©2017 The Washington Post, 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071