Second U.S. company gets stem cell go-ahead

[cal04]

Source: Reuters

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the second human trial of human embryonic stem cells -- this one testing cells in people with a progressive form of blindness, the company said on Monday.

Massachusetts-based Advanced Cell Technology said it would start testing its stem cell-based treatment on 12 patients with Stargardt's macular dystrophy.

It is the second trial of human embryonic stem cells to be approved by the FDA this year. Last month Geron Corp enrolled the first patient in its study using the cells in people whose spinal cords have been crushed.

"It is exciting -- a vindication. All this work really came through," said Dr. Robert Lanza, chief medical officer of the company, which has struggled to stay solvent as it gambled on the controversial cells.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101122/sc_nm/us_stemcells_blindness_1

[babylonsister]

1. Big fat recommend-progress! And you rock, cal04! nt

[truthisfreedom]

2. K'n'r