[IR_Efrem]

My Ex confronted me with this China Stem Cells - China Stem Cell News - FAQ

My oldest daughter has optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) and septo-optic dysplasia (SOD). magic foundation for children's growth : Optic Nerve Hypoplasia

What I am asking from you fine folks is your opinion on the stem cell therapy from China. If this is a topic that you have strong ethical or religious ideals about I would like to ask that you keep those to yourself. I do not want this to be some type of debate over these factors.

My main concern is over the safety of my daughter. I personally do not feel that enough research has been done that shows no possible ill side effects from having this therapy done.

After some research I have found the following websites that have confirmed some of my fears.
Stem Cell Treatment for Children with Eye Nerve Disease Called “Medical Hoax�
Doctor: China's Stem-Cell Therapy for Kids Is Risky : NPR
Cellular Transplants in China: Observational Study from the Largest Human Experiment in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury -- Dobkin et al. 20 (1): 5 -- Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair
Science-Based Medicine » Be Wary of Stem Cell Pseudoscience

The biggest fear (for me anyhow) is meningitis and possible tumor growth. The first website I posted states no possible harmful side effects and seems to be in conflict with everything else that I have read.

Please keep in mind that my daughter is not blind, she has sight and can read a 10 point font, even if it is rather difficult for her, she can read it. She is legally blind in 1 eye and has some problems seeing objects in certain areas of her peripheral vision. But she can see. She is 15 years old now and has adapted very well to her sight limitation.

This is not light reading so please don't skim on the reading and toss out a half baked opinion. This is highly important to me and very serious indeed.

To answer a quick question before it gets asked, Yes she needs my approval before doing such a thing to our daughter. We have full joint and legal custody of all our daughters.

Edit: I would like to add the following website Donate to the Hope For Rylea Fund! Cure Hypoplasia Through Stem Cell Surgery my Ex is in direct contact with this lady. This woman is claiming that the stem cell therapy has been improving her daughters eyesight. The story is a tear jerker for sure but I still cannot get past my skepticism.