Teaching paralysed rats to walk

I just read this,http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18257077 scientists are investigating whether or not they can restore movement in paralysed areas using new methods to stimulate the nerves. They investigated it using rats, by injecting chemicals, electrically stimulating then supporting in a harness before teaching them to move towards rewards. The rewards were used to show how motivation is necessary and how rehabilitation and training is needed in humans to accompany the treatment. The rats gradually became able to run and tackle obstacles well. Similar therapy has been used to allow a previously paralysed man to stand independently. However, the effects are only seen when electrical stimulation is present, as this mimics the stimulation of the nerves in a normally processing nervous system, with the small signals from the brain pushing it over to produce movement. As always there are drawbacks in animal research in terms of validity, for example real world injuries may be more complex, and lack of biological similarity but it is a start and a basis to which further research can be carried out.
Whilst I'm on the topic of animal testing I may as well discuss animal rights rather than just glossing over them. There are a lot of animal rights protesters who complain that it is cruel to mess around with animals and harm them and admittedly this study does raise ethical issues as it involves cutting the spinal cord of the mouse. However this is being done in the hope of improving the lives of humans, which, as far as most people are concerned, are of more value than animal's lives. This research could also be used to benefit other animals lives in the future if it results in therapy. However, the effects of the electrical stimulation are not permanent like the cutting of the spinal cord so these animals have been paralysed for life, which is actually necessary to secure the validity of the experiment rather than just the ability of the chemicals and electricity to reverse the temporary damage. As with all ethical issues, things are never black and white and need to be dealt with sensitively and empathetically to avoid being too reductionist.
However all in all, this research is exciting and offers hope for paralysis treatment in the future.