Agony for creator of Dolly the sheep as he falls victim to illness he was trying to cure
THE scientist who helped create Dolly the sheep has backed stem cell research to tackle Parkinson’s disease after being diagnosed with the condition.
Professor Sir Ian Wilmut announced the diagnosis ahead of the launch of a major research programme that will advance some of his own pioneering work.
The 73-year-old is retired but continues to have an active research interest after leading the team that first cloned a mammal, a global breakthrough.
Now, further developments in the stem cell research that his own team pioneered may lead to better treatments for Parkinson’s, which he was diagnosed with four months ago.
Experts at Edinburgh and Dundee universities are to join forces to investigate the causes of Parkinson’s and test new treatments.
The Dundee-Edinburgh Parkinson’s Research Initiative will also enable Scottish patients to take part in clini- cal trials which aim to slow down the progression of the disease.
The creation of Dolly in 1996 proved that adult cells from anywhere in the body could be made to behave like a newly fertilised egg.
The breakthrough by Sir Ian and his team at Edinburgh University’s Roslin Institute paved the way for other scientists to develop a method of using adult cells to produce cells that could develop into any kind of tissue in the body.
Edinburgh scientists were the first in the UK to produce these in the laboratory from patients with Parkinson’s disease.
The cells provide an invaluable resource for studying how the disease progresses and testing potential drug treatments.
Sir Ian, who retired from Edinburgh University in 2012, said: ‘Initiatives of this kind are very effective, not only because they bring more people together but because they will include people with different experience and expertise.
‘It was from such a rich seedbed that Dolly developed and we can hope for similar benefits in this project.’
The ultimate goal is to find new approaches to predict and prevent the progressive condition, which is caused by damage to specific cells in the brain.
It is also hoped to test treatments aimed at slowing or reversing the disease.
Parkinson’s affects movement and is often associated with involuntary shaking.
There are treatments to reduce the symptoms and help prolong quality of life but currently none to slow or halt its progression. Dr Tilo Kunath, at Edinburgh’s Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, said yesterday: ‘People with Parkinson’s urgently require access to earlier and more accurate diagnosis, better prediction of how their disease will progress and, most importantly, the opportunity to participate in clinical trials of new treatments.
‘This new research partnership aims to make these hopes a reality for people in Scotland.’
There are 12,000 people in Scotland with Parkinson’s.
The total number is expected to double over the next 50 years as the population grows and people live longer. Chief executive of charity Parkinson’s UK Steve Ford said: ‘We admire Sir Ian’s bravery in announcing that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, which can be a difficult step to take.
‘His honesty will not only help to raise awareness of the condition but also heralds a major new Parkinson’s research initiative.’
He added: ‘We’re excited about this initiative as it fits perfectly with our ultimate goal to accelerate Parkinson’s research, improve access to clinical trials and ultimately, find a cure for everyone living with Parkinson’s.
‘Parkinson’s UK wishes Sir Ian well and looks forward to working with the research teams.’
‘We admire Sir Ian’s bravery’