I understand your take now, but it still seems like the two approaches are complementary. Specifically because afaik the only known way to restore spinal cord f

I understand your take now, but it still seems like the two approaches are complementary. Specifically because afaik the only known way to restore spinal cord function is to get signals traveling through whatever means, so that the body will regrow the pathways. (I am not at all an expert, but my understanding is that) stem cells aren't going to do any good if they're just wedged in randomly. If they or something else carries a signal, they will organize to strengthen that signal and can then permanently repair function (at least partially). If they don't carry a signal, they will wither and die. So it seems to me that when you don't have intact nerves carrying signals from point A to point B, then anything that carries those signals will delay degeneration and possibly facilitate repair. If you need wires or nanotubes or little strips of squid skin to carry those signals initially, then that's what you'll want to do.