Through the transplanting of stem cells, paralyzed mice and rabbits can move freely.

Such a medical breakthrough recently took place in central China's Henan Province, which leads to expectations that it may no longer be a dream for paralyzed human beings to be able to stand up on their feet by their own power.

Paralysis is generally caused by the destruction of central nervous cells, which are believed to be the most difficult to regenerate among all cells in the body. However, cells in the nervous system have been found to be able to realize proliferation through division.

Therefore, it is likely that paralyzed patients can stand up again once destroyed nervous system cells are replaced by nervous system stem cells.

Scientists have successfully carried out eight experiments on animals in Henan Province and are now busy conducting related studies prior to clinical application.

(People's Daily 05/14/2001)