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STEM CELLs and the Media

In September 2012 UK scientists published a paper detailing their findings using embryonic stem cells to restore hearing in gerbils. The paper was entitled

‘Restoration of auditory evoked responses by human ES-cell-derived otic progenitors’

and the authors suggested that ‘These results should stimulate further research into the development of a cell-based therapy for deafness’

Following a press release by their university, the story was reported by the media, with a range of different headlines.

‘Cure for deafness a reality as scientists make animals hear again… and promise first human patients will be treated in a ‘few years’

‘Deaf gerbils ‘hear again’ after stem cell cure’ and stated that ‘treating humans is still a distant prospect’