Trending News Today: Use of Marijuana Oil Expanded for Medical Purposes

Scientists reversed diabetes in mice by using mouse pancreas cells grown in rat embryos that were then injected into the mouse, reported NPR. The experiments allowed investigators to further their research of new gene-editing techniques to modify pig embryos, with the end goal of placing human cells inside the body that would begin to grow into human pancreases. According to NPR, the human-pig embryos may someday supply organs for transplants. After much controversy over these experiments, the National Institutes of Health wanted to lift a moratorium on funding this type of research. However, plans to start funding the experiments were not finalized before the Obama Administration left office, and it remains unclear of what will happen under the Trump Administration, NPR reported.

The Virginia Senate voted to expand the use of marijuana oil for additional medical use, according to The Washington Post. The bill is co-sponsored by Sen Jill Holtzman Vogel (R-Fauquier) and Sen Barbara A. Favola (D-Arlington), and builds upon previously passed legislation intended to make it easier for Virginians with severe forms of epilepsy to access the marijuana-derived oils, cannabidiol oil and THC-A oil. The new bill was passed by a 29 to 11 vote, and expands the list of ailments to include cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, nail-patella syndrome, cachexia or wasting syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, and multiple sclerosis.

Delaware’s Senate unanimously approved a bill allowing individuals with HIV to donate organs for research or transplantation, reported The Washington Post. Currently, Delaware is the only state with laws completely prohibiting the use of HIV-positive organs for HIV-positive recipients, which includes the use of organs in research, according to the Post. The bill will now move to the House for approval.