Shepherd Center becomes site for first human trial of embryonic stem cell treatment in U.S.
Atlanta has just become the point where embryonic stem cell research meets a human being in the United States. From the Washington Post:
The first patient has been treated with human embryonic stem cells in the first study authorized by the Food and Drug Administration to test the controversial therapy.
A patient who was partially paralyzed by a spinal cord injury had millions of embryonic stem cells injected into the site of the damage, according to an announcement early Monday by the Geron Corp. of Menlo Park, Calif., which is sponsoring the groundbreaking study.
The patient was treated at the Shepherd Center, a 132-bed hospital in Atlanta that specializes in spinal cord and brain injuries, Geron said. The hospital is one of seven sites participating in the study, which is primarily aimed at testing whether the therapy is safe.
Doctors will, however, also conduct a series of specially designed tests to see whether the treatment helps the patients. No additional information about the first patient was released.
So why is this on a political blog? Because several attempts to bar embryonic stem cell research in Georgia have arisen from the state Capitol in recent years. Many, though not all, conservative Christians oppose it.
In the governor’s race, the topic is one of the issues that differentiate Democrat Roy Barnes, who supports ESC research, from Republican Nathan Deal, who does not.
An important point from Reuters:
Geron is not subject to limitations on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research, as it has done all its work with its own funding.
The government is embroiled in a legal battle over the cells. Just weeks after he took office in 2009, President Barack Obama issued an executive order that eased limitations on federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research.
Geron, a biotech company based in “silicon valley” south of San Francisco, has spent $170m on developing a stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury.
The research will use cells coaxed to become nerve cells which are injected into the spinal cord.
In animal trials of the treatment, paralysed rats regained some movement.
But it is not yet known if it will offer any benefit to people with spinal cord injuries.
Every year around 12,000 people in the US sustain spinal cord injuries. The most common causes are automobile accidents, falls, gunshot wounds and sports injuries.
In the trial, patients who have sustained such an injury within the last 14 days will be given the experimental stem cell treatment.
Geron president Dr Thomas Okarma said: “When we started working with human embryonic stem cells in 1999, many predicted that it would be a number of decades before a cell therapy would be approved for human clinical trials.
“This accomplishment results from extensive research and development and a succession of inventive steps.”
But it will take some time to get the results.
And there are many years of rigorous testing ahead before it can be known if the therapy is safe and effective.
Professor Sir Ian Wilmut, director of the Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, said: “This is very exciting news, however, it is very important to appreciate that the objective of trials at this stage is to confirm first of all that no harm is done to patients, rather than to look for benefits.
“Once that has been confirmed then the focus moves on to development and assessment of the new treatment.”
Ben Sykes, executive director of the UK National Stem Cell Network, said: “This is indeed a significant milestone in our journey towards the promise of stem cell-based medicines.
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter, or connect with me on Facebook.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
187 comments Add your comment
mook
October 11th, 2010
3:43 pm
I fully support abortion… RETROACTIVE abortion
Truth Sayer
October 11th, 2010
3:45 pm
TiredofBickering – If you are a Christian then you would know that God knew us before we were even formed in the womb. If that is the case then there must be a purpose for Him creating that life from the get go.
Aquagirl
October 11th, 2010
3:47 pm
Uh, tired—if it helps you sleep better at night, aborted babies are not used in stem cell research.
Truth Sayer, I’m glad you have resolved a problem that has stumped scientists, ethicists, philosophers, and religious leaders for thousands of years. All in a blog post about a political wedge issue. How did we overlook your wisdom for so long?
Jane, how ’bout you and Ralph take a field trip to the Shepard Center and explain to those folks how you consider them straw men and wedge issues. I’m sure they’ll be on board with your “whatevs.” It’s just a bunch of cripples, after all.
Truth Sayer
October 11th, 2010
3:53 pm
Hey Aquagirl – just FYI – I am paraplegic and I am AGAINST any form of Embryonic Stem Cell research that may help me get back on my feet. I would not want to be so selfish to kill another human being to allow me to have a life where I can walk again. I guess I need to visit these forums more often in order to assert my wisdom where it is needed. I am glad that you found it enlightening.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
3:57 pm
Aquagirl, again with the strawman. (continued use = Godwinning) No one marginalizes and refuses to acknowledge the individual like the party you (so well) represent. Therefore, I can only assume that you’re projecting your own views in what you perceive to be mine.
If you care about paraplegics, victims of MS, etc, you would want alternative therapies to be tested and vetted. The fact that you refuse to acknowledge Dr. Yamanaka’s findings for uses for skin cells as an alternative to fetal cells, tells me that you have no interest in the health of these people and are only capitalizing on the fear-factor that you find so useful in pushing your party’s (perceived) agenda. But, that works for me. Because, we see where that agenda has placed your party in the polls.
Cujo Bendi
October 11th, 2010
3:58 pm
To all you presumptuous dems out there – I’m a Republican and I vehemently support this.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
3:59 pm
Truth Sayer, right on, and thank you for your input.
Truth Sayer
October 11th, 2010
4:01 pm
Cujo Bendi – no one ever said that Republicans = Christians. That is great that you support killing human beings in an effort to treat someone with a therapy that has not been proven to even work at all. What a testament to the human race! SWEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTT!
Aquagirl
October 11th, 2010
4:01 pm
Truth, if you’re feeling so unselfish, volunteer your womb to host these frozen cells. Otherwise they’re going out in the garbage. Literally. If you’re paraplegic–bummer, but that doesn’t put you in charge of research. You don’t want a stem cell transplant, don’t have one.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
4:01 pm
Cujo, I’ll need your name and address so that I can place your name on the GOP Seditionists list. thanks in advance
It’s really hard to pigeonhole a party if everyone doesn’t tow the line.
Mark30339
October 11th, 2010
4:01 pm
It seems to me that Shepherd’s Center, and others like it, need to avoid all the non-controversial stem cell research, and make sure that only research that advances is the kind that kills human life to harvest cells. There are very powerful forces determined to push society into this new amoral zone, — and on the sidelines is a puzzled majority whose brains hurt because they are tired of the bickering.
Truth Sayer
October 11th, 2010
4:02 pm
CitizenJane – It is my pleasure. I wish others would really see what atrosity that they are supporting.
Tracy
October 11th, 2010
4:02 pm
How much do you want to bet that every single person who opposes stem cell research would have zero hesitation for using them if they became paralyzed and science got to the point they could correct it ?
Once again we see the destructive power of altruism from the religious minded.
Truth Sayer
October 11th, 2010
4:03 pm
Hey Tracy – how about reading this post from me – Truth Sayer
October 11th, 2010
3:53 pm
Hey Aquagirl – just FYI – I am paraplegic and I am AGAINST any form of Embryonic Stem Cell research that may help me get back on my feet. I would not want to be so selfish to kill another human being to allow me to have a life where I can walk again. I guess I need to visit these forums more often in order to assert my wisdom where it is needed. I am glad that you found it enlightening.
..first human trial of embryonic stem cell treatment in U.S. - PreCentral Forums
October 11th, 2010
4:06 pm
[...] human trial of embryonic stem cell treatment in U.S. First authorized study of embryonic stem cell treatment conducted at Shepherd Center in Atlanta | Po… Shepherd Center becomes site for first human trial of embryonic stem cell treatment in U.S. [...]
Aquagirl
October 11th, 2010
4:09 pm
Truth, check back in when there’s an actual cure—if you’re not too busy incubating those homeless blastocysts.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
4:10 pm
Aquagirl, way to show your liberal love for a fellow human being.
Truth Sayer
October 11th, 2010
4:10 pm
Aquagirl – If I had a womb to offer up I would do it in a heartbeat but God did not make me that way. Can you cite any proof that ESTs have been shown to work in any fashion? If not, then why do you push this so hard? There is no proof that it works in humans. Why not alternative options as CitizenJane has so clearly pointed to?
I like my analogy better – If you do not like dog fighting, then do not participate in it. I mean people breed dogs like they are going out of style so they are going to get thrown in the trash anyway. Why not make a few bucks off of the dogs before we throw them out? Why not give of your home to help these poor animals the same way that you are asking me to give up a womb that I do not have. Never suggest something to someone that you yourself are not willing to undertake.
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
4:12 pm
Same tired argument coming from the right (wrong)…. These embryo’s would be destroyed anyway… What about that is hard to understand? (TRUTH SAYER)
They would be destroyed and now they are helping… geesh!
So you do not want big government me too… I also do not want stupid government either
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
4:14 pm
You do not support stem cell research… but you support test tube babies because of your low birth rate! Why does that make sense to you?
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
4:16 pm
Masters Degree (embryo is not possessive) who mentioned supporting test tube babies?
JJC
October 11th, 2010
4:18 pm
My sister has Parkinson’s disease. There was no hope for a cure in her lifetime until today. Thank you Jesus.
Truth Sayer
October 11th, 2010
4:21 pm
I do not support test tube babies either. I do not support the method of how these embryos were created in the first place. Now that they are here, it is up to us – Stewards of God’s creation to take care of them. I never claimed to be from the “right” either. I am a Christian – I take no vow to any political affilication!
What is so hard to understand that when you get old Master Degree that the cost to keep you alive would be just way too much for anyone to bear, with perscription medication, treatments or what have you, so why not just not give you the care you need – I mean, you are going to die anyway right?
Your attempt at logic is foolish!
Aquagirl
October 11th, 2010
4:24 pm
Jane, don’t you mean “love of my fellow wedge issue?”
Adult stem cells are not an alternative option, truth, that would be clear if you’d read Jane’s touted article. Research should certainly continue, sure, but I’m not going to write off people while we tiptoe around your obsession with preserving frozen clumps of cells.
If God didn’t make you with a womb, whose would you like to draft? Or were you going to implant them in shopping bags?
Truth Sayer
October 11th, 2010
4:24 pm
Hey JJC – Embryonic Stem Cells will not cure your sister. You should look at the suffering of your sister and the suffering that Parkinson’s has caused you and your family as a kiss from Jesus. Jesus did not come to earth to give us a worry-free, pain-free, or disease-free life. He came to give us life with him in enternity!
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
4:25 pm
Citizen Jane I did not get my masters in English (I am an engineer) but you did not get your reasoning in logic.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
4:27 pm
Aquagirl, you’re tiresome. People aren’t the ‘wedge’, the notion that we can only harvest stem cells from fetuses, is. I’m not sure how this point was lost on you. But, there you have it.
Fetal stem cells have been shown to cause cancer. Adult (skin) stem cells have been shown to cause cancer. Which deserves more scrutiny?
Truth Sayer
October 11th, 2010
4:27 pm
Aquagirl – I am a man, that is why I do not have a womb to offer up. Did it really take me telling you this to understand that? Embryos are not frozen clumps of cells. Why is it OK to kill these frozen clumps of cells? Aren’t you glad that your mom did not make the foolish decision to kill you in the womb. If she had you would not be able to come on here and debate me and CitizenJane? I am glad that she did not.
I am glad that you are here.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
4:29 pm
Masters Degree, as a fellow Engineer, I should let you know that english and logic are not mutually exclusive. Some can excel at both.
Truth Sayer
October 11th, 2010
4:32 pm
Just for the record…Freezing Embronic Stem Cells will work and freezing an adult will work. Just look at Han Solo. He was frozen in Cloud City and transported to Tatooine. Thank goodness for Princess Leia though…she unfroze ol Han and the force was once again with him and the rebel alliance. Such awesome Christian analogy with Star Wars. Thank you George Lucas!
Logical Dude
October 11th, 2010
4:41 pm
Having been deeply involved in this topic there are three things I’d like to point out:
1) For those who oppose abortion, In Vitro-Fertilization, and Embryonic Stem Cell Research; I believe life begins when brain function begins. This is a valid end-of-life measure for doctors to declare death, so I believe that a human life begins when brain function begins. That being said. Embryos have no brain function. If you believe different, I understand where you come from, but I disagree.
2) I have a kidney transplant. I am now to take immunosuppressants for the rest of my life (God willing the kidney keeps on going!). If there was a way to clone my kidney so I didn’t have to take drugs the rest of my life, I would jump at it immediately. ANY research that uses what I believe to be ethical can be done for this purpose, including embryonic stem cell research.
3) My wife & I have embryos frozen away for future use. The state last year tried to remove our ownership of these embryos and call them “life”. Of COURSE this was silly and stupid and moronic. But there are those so motivated by *something* that they’d rather use power and control than scientific reasoning for rule over the people. Rightly, the IVF community fought this hard and won the day. But evidently there are still those who still would rather take away our rights and common sense.
Aquagirl
October 11th, 2010
4:47 pm
Jane, people who lack logic often find me tiresome. Yep, I’m irritating like that. Are you still stuck on the Russians who were messing around with that kid’s brain? When you use actual doctors for treatment, the risk of cancer might be reduced, y’know.
Well, truth, there are certainly women who lack a womb, but either way, what’s your plan for these precious frozen cells? Visit their freezer and sing to them every day until a power failure? You can go on and on about stewardship and what have you, but again, the cold (no pun intended) reality is that they will end up in an incinerator. I’m not surprised you disapprove of infertility treatments. But does the phrase “none of your business” ever enter your vocabulary? Why is it okay to deny life to those children who would otherwise not be born to these couples? I bet they’re glad to be here too, even if you would have denied them their chance at life.
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
4:48 pm
Citizen Jane because I put an apostrophe in you are now clearly avoiding the issue. This is not about my english. This is about your lack of logic. My point bringing in test tube babies is clear…. You and your ilk as you would say… would have invetro fertilization (science technology manipulating life) because of fertility issues.. yet you would not help people who are already breathing and living have a better life…. again.. .how does this make sense?
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
4:50 pm
Logical Dude, more power to you. But, do you care if those life saving stem cells come from skin cells or a fetus?
I’m betting that you don’t. Which further supports the need for further and more aggressive testing in the non-controversial approach that Dr. Yamanaka is calling for. This will completely and thoroughly remove any opposition to the therapy. The fact that we’re not demanding this, tells me that this issue has nothing to do with the victims and everything to do with politics.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
4:52 pm
Aquagirl, to further your bigotry, you now intimate that Russians aren’t real doctors? Why are you ignoring the fact that research has shown fetal stem cells can cause cancer?
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
4:53 pm
Masters Degree, I’ve not discussed test tube babies and have no opinion at all on it. What is your point again?
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
4:54 pm
Logical Dude.. I am sorry to hear what you have to go through that daily. i hope this is a sign of more good news for you and people like you in the future…..
I can not understand why the right swears that they do not want big governement yet they are infringing on you..
Truth Sayer
October 11th, 2010
4:57 pm
Logical Dude – it really does not matter when you believe life begins. It begins when sperm and egg meet. You cannot have life without one or the other. I am really miffed at why people cannot really undetstand this.
Anyway…Embryonic Stem Cell research is not considered ethical and again you scream as another selfish person that is only interested in helping yourself along by killing another human to do so. Trample the Weak – Hurdle the Dead!
Where in the Constitution of the US or the state of GA does it read that you have the right to harvest embryos?
Brain activity does not mean that one is not alive. There are many people still alive with no normal brain activity. A friend on mine thinks the same way you do – that life begins when a person can reason. Well I know of a lot of 3 year old children that cannot reason.
I cannot for the life of me understand why so many take the gift of being able to create life so lightly that we just talk about “throwing away” embryos and kill a living child in the womb. Oops, I am a man, I cannot say anything about abortion since I do not have a womb.
Truth Sayer
October 11th, 2010
5:00 pm
I am against test tube babies because maybe God made people the way that they are because he wanted them that way. Not all people are supposed to have children. Not all people are supposed to be pro athletes. Life isn’t fair – deal with it. Life is hard and it is harder if you are stupid!
Truth Sayer
October 11th, 2010
5:01 pm
The other reason that I am against it is because I am Catholic and I do tow that party line.
Aquagirl
October 11th, 2010
5:02 pm
Sure, Jane, there are real legitimate Russian doctors. Other researchers don’t have to guess at what they’re attempting, which is the case with the dudes injecting cells and causing cancer in that kid’s brain. Grabbing a desperate kid and playing Frankenstein is not “research.” It’s not even called good medicine. Really, try reading the article. It’s in English and everything, you don’t really have an excuse for not getting this.
Why are ignoring the fact that skin stem cells can cause cancer? The doctor DEVELOPING them says so.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
5:06 pm
Aquagirl, Steven Goldman’s lab research shows..
Steven Goldman’s lab in Rochester, NY, showing that injecting embryonic stem cell transplants in rats for various neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease can lead to undifferentiated growth, ie tumours.
http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v12/n11/full/nm1495.html
(also in english. Let me know if you have problems with the big words)
Howard E
October 11th, 2010
5:08 pm
“There are many people still alive with no normal brain activity.”
Many of these people are posting their opinions on blogs and calling it “Truth.”
Aquagirl
October 11th, 2010
5:09 pm
Truth Sayer
October 11th, 2010
4:57 pm
Logical Dude – it really does not matter when you believe life begins. It begins when sperm and egg meet. You cannot have life without one or the other. I am really miffed at why people cannot really undetstand this.
That really sums it up, doesn’t it? “I can’t understand why other people don’t treat my opinion as the undisputed truth, and conduct their lives as I decree. Your opinion is an opinion, my opinion is a fact.” No wonder you’re miffed.
I’m sure god decrees the exact same thing as you do, truth—funny how that happens with some people.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
5:13 pm
Aquagirl, again, you’re projecting. (BTW: it’s G*d with the uppercase “G”, it’s right next to your “F” on the keyboard, but then again, I’m sure you were just showing your disdain for Truth Sayer’s beliefs, yes?) So typical.
A dad
October 11th, 2010
5:15 pm
As a member of the religious right, I profess (to my shame) not being fully up to speed on this issue. On one hand, potentiall helping people is always a good thing, but I have to ask where these embryonic stem cells come from? I see that perhaps they come from “left over” embryos when someone undergoes invitro fertilizations. But are they harvested from an actual viable embryo? In other words, do we destroy one life to help another? Yes, I believe life begins at the moment of conception, as at that moment, a truly unique genetic profile has been created, one that was never seen before and never will be again. If we are destroying viable embryos to harvest stem cells, I have to wonder, in this screwed up world, how many Mandella’s, Salk’s, Mother Teresa’s, etc. have we destroyed? Can’t we clone the existing lines? On the slippery slope, if destroying embryos so we can harvest stem cells is permitted, then where do we stop? Does tis become a commercialy viable enterprise where a woman becomes pregnant simply to sell the empbryo for harvesting?
Please, no ideologic diatribes, and any cites to “facts” please be just that. I for one think the average person can make an informed decison, but only if the facts are accurate. So folks, let;s leave the name calling and ideological poking aside, and just stick with the facts. I wonder how many on this blog actually rely on facts for their opinions? Help me out here. Thanks
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
5:16 pm
Truth Sayer, try quoting from the Koran (use Allah for emphasis). I’m sure you’ll get more respect from Aquagirl, et al.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
October 11th, 2010
5:17 pm
Years of extensive research has show that embryonic stem cells have no better results than adult stem cells….. big money is behind this.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
5:19 pm
A dad: I’ll offer no commentary:
In all of the controversy over embryonic stem cells, fetal stem cells are often overlooked. What are fetal stem cells? Fetal stem cells some from a fetus anywhere from 8 weeks to 20 weeks gestation. The most common source of fetal stem cells are from aborted fetuses. The use of fetal stem cells in research is often presented as totally uncontroversial. The reason is because fetal stem cells are often called adult stem cells simply because they do not come from embryos.
http://www.marymeetsdolly.com/blog/index.php?/archives/929-Aborted-fetus-stem-cells-injected-into-ALS-patient.html
You can research and make your own mind up.
keller
October 11th, 2010
5:19 pm
The far right are unequivocably not only crazy but ignorant. Let’s base our opinions on LEGITIMATE scientific research, not junk science. This research has the chance to relieve untold suffering. God help us if the so-called “Christian” right prevails. What will happen is that this research will go to states that are more reasonable about this issue, thus taking jobs and money with them. And the studies that will help mankind. This research is going to happen, if not in Georgia, somewhere else. Too bad you want to destroy jobs and economic advantages. The “Christian” right is anything but Christian.