FDA allows first test of human stem cell therapy

[cboy4]

Happy, happy dance. :bounce:





WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared the way for the world's first study of human embryonic stem cell therapy, Geron Corp said on Friday in a milestone for such research and a marked political shift.

The move came three days after the inauguration of President Barack Obama, a Democrat who had been expected to rescind some of the federal funding restrictions placed on such research. :patriot:

The California biotechnology company plans to initiate a clinical trial in patients with acute spinal cord injury.

"This marks the beginning of what is potentially a new chapter in medical therapeutics - one that reaches beyond pills to a new level of healing: the restoration of organ and tissue function achieved by the injection of healthy replacement cells," Geron Chief Executive Thomas B. Okarma said in a statement.

The FDA rejected his company's first request, in March, to conduct the trial.

Former President George W. Bush had been at odds with Congress, researchers and advocates for years over the issue and restricted federal funding of work involving human embryonic stem cells via executive order. :puke:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090123/ts_nm/us_stemcells_1

[blondeatlast]

1. Now THAT'S what I call pro-life.

If the blastocysts will end up in the garbage heap anyhow why not ease suffering with them? Maybe my lifelong dependence on insulin and secondary complications don't have to be forever...

[LynzM]

2. Am glad to hear this.

As a Type 1 diabetic, stem cells currently hold the best chance for any kind of cure for diabetes....