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.
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187 comments Add your comment
Flo-Ri-Duh!
October 11th, 2010
5:21 pm
I need to correct you Aquagirl…. it is God, not god – that’s a show of respect. Greek mythology fake gods have a lower case”g” but the real God (Bible – look it up) is spelled with a capital “G”.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
October 11th, 2010
5:23 pm
Morals are beyond these so called scientists out for a buck. Stem cells coming from embryos are no better or more effective than adult stem cells. Years of research back this up.
Logical Dude
October 11th, 2010
5:24 pm
Truth,
Thank you for your explanation of your beliefs. Your Catholic faith defines what you believe. However, we are a nation not beholden to the Church. Beliefs vary, and trying to define science based on church sayings goes against what this country was founded on.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
5:25 pm
Keller, you’re actually trying to make the argument that Christians are costing jobs in Georgia? LOL
I love this state samuch!
Logical Dude
October 11th, 2010
5:26 pm
Flo,
No, years of research have not backed that up. Bush handcuffed the ability to produce new lines of genetic research.
I’m not saying embryonic stem cells are the answer, nor against adult stem cells. I feel that it is unfair to say “one is better” based on such little progress on either side.
Aquagirl
October 11th, 2010
5:27 pm
Jane, of course you can cause cancer with stem cells—embryonic, skin, or alien implants. Kind of like how you can kill people with most any drug unless you—now prepare yourself for a BIG concept—-LEARN HOW TO USE THEM.
We may never see a time when stem cell research doesn’t have some risk of cancer. The benefit may outweigh the risk if you are dying of MS. Nobody’s trying to cure acne with this stuff.
BTW, when you’re reduced to citing the blog “marymeetsdolly” someone should revoke your google privileges.
Yep, small “g” god, I don’t respect a god anyone uses as a bully.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
5:30 pm
Aquagirl, then you should be all about supporting skin stem cell research, n’est-ce pas? Since both equally cure and kill?
BTW, if you have better google fu, please feel free to share it. And, I’m betting my next paycheck that your disdain for religion only extends to Christians.
Logical Dude
October 11th, 2010
5:31 pm
Masters,
Thank you for the support!
nurse&mother
October 11th, 2010
5:32 pm
Aquagirl, you seem to have a chip on your shoulder. Why are you so angry? I wholeheartedly feel for a 13 yo who is raped. Why do you ASSume I don’t? Did I ever say that or even imply that? If you would read my post, you would see that I wish our gov’t would abolish the two party system. Then I could elect someone who who was socially liberal, yet fiscally conservative. Where in the heck do you get that I don’t feel for rape victims? You ASSume many things. You seem to let your anger cloud your vision.
BTW, I used to be a bleeding heart liberal until I started working as a nurse and saw such abuse of the “system”. Folks using EMS for a ride to the hospital for things like backpain. Oh, here’s another good one….countless folks going to the ER for a pregnancy test. They can get one at the Dollar Tree for $1 but, don’t because they don’t want to pay for it. they have the option to go to the health dept which would be free and a better use of TAXPAYERS dollars. But such folks seem to think that life owes them.
It’s that $%!* that I am tired of. You are wrong when you think I WANT to vote for Nathan Deal. I think ALL career politicians should be abolished. But you don’t want to hear what I have to say or that I might have a point. So you can just pretend that you know EXACTLY what I think or how I feel. BTW, folks like you lose credibility in your arguments by refusing listen to anything folks like me have to say.
Logical Dude
October 11th, 2010
5:43 pm
Here are a few facts:
Embryonic stem cells come from embryos created through in-vitro fertilization. Embryologists inject the eggs with sperm and begin to let them grow to make sure they are viable.
Depending on the health of the embryos, between 25-75% of embryos survive to the 8 cell stage. The Embryos can then be frozen or allowed to grow to the 16, 32 and 64 cell stage (Blastocyst). Beyond blastocyst, the embryo is no longer a sphere and starts growing other features (like a tadpole). The Blastocyst is the latest stage the embryologists will grow the cells, and will freeze them at this point. Implantation can occur with the 8 cell, 16, 32, or 64 cell blastocyst, but it’s rare for 16 or 32 since the blastocyst is more stable. Embryos that undergo testing for genetic defects have a slightly lower survival rate to the Blastocyst stage. Genetic tests are important since the older the donors are, the more likely genetic defects can occur (such as missing chromasomes). Usually, embryos with genetic defects are discarded.
A typical round of In-Vitro Fertilization can yield, 25 eggs, a dozen eggs that conceive, and 8 that grow. (For a healhty couple, but can be much lower for age, health, or genetics)
Now, For those eggs that get sperm, but do NOT grow. (there are 18 of them in this example). What should we do?
a) discard them
b) freeze them since they are “life”
c) Use them for stem cell research
a) is what happens now.
b) is costly, and couples are not willing to pay to freeze unviable embryos
c) is an option, but is still rare because previous limits placed on research
I hope this helps people understand what couples go through to try to create all those eggs in the struggle for reproduction
nurse&mother
October 11th, 2010
5:44 pm
Let me clarify, I am talking about relatively young pregnant women (who don’t work) who come in for general aches and pains of pregnancy. And interestingly enough, many who admit that they didn’t have a ride, have a family member show up minutes later. Imagine that. These are the same folks who end up walking out of the hospital about an hour or so later.
There are lots of folks who need a hand UP. Many folks, unfortunately have given the small percentage of truly needy (disabled, elderly, those laid off of employment etc.) a bad name. I am all for the truly needy getting assistance. I just feel that there should be stricter guidelines. The current system has enabled many folks to just decide not to work and live off the system.
Aquagirl
October 11th, 2010
5:47 pm
Ah, nurse, you assume some things yourself– I feel for the raped 13 year old too—Nathan Deal is another story. That girl is an incubator, and she’s gonna bear that baby, durn it.You need to check his right-wing GRTA stance. Sorry, I can’t vote for someone who would do that. And really, when you vote for him, that’s what you’re supporting. And why not vote for Monds? I find the libertarian approach much more palatable than bleeding heart liberalism.
Jane, I do support the skin cell research. I’d fully fund Yamanaka’s work if I had the choice. It could help sick people. BTW Google-fu should always end with evaluating information—like saying “hmmmm, these guys in Russia were wayyyyyyy out there.”
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
5:47 pm
Nurse&mother, I’m hearing you and I agree. I’m all for individuals helping individuals (and, I do tons of that) but, only as a hand up. Never as a hand out.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
5:49 pm
Aqualgirl, I am more than happy to cite articles/statistics to support my claims. I can’t help you with the “takeaway” quote, however. You’ll need to decipher that for yourself.
Logical Dude
October 11th, 2010
5:50 pm
Nurse,
I agree the system is broken. There needs to be “urgent” areas next to “emergency” areas to direct the non-emergency folks.
I guess I missed how this went from when life begins to people coming to the ER with pregnancy pains.
I’m all for better sex education to prevent the unwanted pregnancies that abound.
nurse&mother
October 11th, 2010
5:50 pm
Last thought…I believe that it is the responsibility of churches, neighbors and communities to help the disadvanted out NOT the government. the government does not owe us anything but safety and certain liberties.
This in NO WAY means that I don’t support rape victims, gays, etc. Furthermore, I’m not sure how one could deduce that from my posts. I wholeheartedly think that gays should be able to marry. And for the record, I am a christian, Episcopalian to be exact. And for the record, I volunteer at my church’s FREE health clinic regularly. I absolutely believe in helping folks out. I also think we need to be good stewards of taxpayers money.
End of rant…Peace out (truly mean that this time) Have a good night!
nurse&mother
October 11th, 2010
5:52 pm
Dude, my posts were aimed primarily at Aquagirl, who was accusing me of not supporting gays or 13yo rape victims because I primarily vote republican. I realize I kinda went off on a tangent. (just trying to make a point and also show why I have arrived at this point of view)
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
5:54 pm
Logical Dude… DUDE… DUDE… You totally broke that down… and yet they are still going to say it is destroying “life” when the embryo would be discarded anyway!
You are now Super Logical Dude in my book.
Logical Dude
October 11th, 2010
5:58 pm
Nurse, it is unfortunate that recently it is the Republicans that
seem to beare the ones to try take away individual liberty, or reduce the availability of benefits for all. It makes it hard to support them even if they do have some good ideas otherwise.1) restricting stem cell research
2) restricting gays the ability to server honorably and honestly in the military
3) meh, I could go on. . but it’s late in the afternoon.
Don’t mean to swipe everyone with the brush, either liberal or conservative, either Democrat or Republican, etc.
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
5:59 pm
Super Logical Dude – You are welcome
Citizen Jane – spell check Qur’an not Koran… I am a Christian.. you know Christ like.. and your islamaphobia disturbs me.
nurse&mother – the biggest waste is the fraud that currently you and the Doctors are running on Americans… I just talked to Canadians 2 seconds ago and they love Canada Care! We get run in and out of our Doctors offices and get charged insane fee’s for sub par treatment….. while you worred about the broke back person getting care you do not care about the robbery that your profession is currenlty doing to us all.
Logical Dude
October 11th, 2010
6:01 pm
Masters,
yeah, I’ve been there. . . several times. . . so I know the numbers pretty well. Unfortunately, some State Senators don’t get it either, so it is up to us to educate them as best we can. Although sometimes it’s like talking to a kid who has their fingers in their ears going “LAAAAAA LAAAAA LAAAAA”
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
6:03 pm
Logical Dude, you’re too smart to be a Dem. Regarding individual liberties, I cannot believe that you’re ignoring what the Dems are doing to this country:
National (Govt imposed) healthcare
Takeover of student loans.
Takeover of GM
1% tax on all electronic bank transfers (tax)
http://www.factcheck.org/2010/09/1-transaction-tax/
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
6:04 pm
Masters Degree, I’ve read the entire Koran (english spelling) and I’ll go toe to toe with anyone who wants to debate it, include you, my english challenged colleague.
I have no phobia, about the Koran nor the Bible. Name the time and place.
Logical Dude
October 11th, 2010
6:08 pm
Jane,
LOL “too smart to be a Dem”.
1) I think a national health care system is wise, but the current implementation is flawed (My dad was in the Navy, so I’ve generally had government health care support)
2) Takeover of student loans – mine were taken over years ago- didn’t see this as Dem or Rep issue
3) Takeover of GM – I”m not sure I’d call the bailout “takeover”, but I wish there was a better way for it to have happened to save the Saturn brand.
4) 1% fee on bank transfers – yeah, that’s one of the stupidest taxes I’ve ever heard of.
5) Tax & Spend – yeah, too much spending, Gotta cut the big 3 somehow: Social Security, Medicare, and Military.
etc etc etc.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
6:12 pm
Logical – the Armed Forces benefits have always been understood as being pay for service. There is nothing free about the old implementation. What we’re seeing now is very different, and I’m shocked that you don’t understand this.
If your student loans were overtaken, I’m guessing you weren’t current.
Which of the 3 being cut (SS, Medicare/Meidcaid and Military) are you comfortable with?
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
6:14 pm
Citizen Jane – The time and the place is – Never… Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the council of the ungodly stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of the scornful…
You are morally and intellectually circumcized. This is about an Issue that your tea party is obviously wrong about…. see Logical Dudes post above.
Logical Dude
October 11th, 2010
6:17 pm
Jane,
“What we’re seeing now is very different” for healthcare. I agree with that, which is why I stated it was flawed.
“if loans were overtaken, I’m guessing you werent’ current”. No, it was the cheapest way to combine all my loans into one single payment.
Social Security – raise the benefit age by linking it to life expectancy. Same with Medicare.
Military – with wars winding down, there is no reason we can’t slice that budget 20% with very little loss in ability.
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
6:19 pm
Let’s thank President Obama for Lifting the restriction that Bush had placed on embryo testing…. Geron did this by themselves but let’s get this out there that a lot of right wingers do not support Science….
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
6:19 pm
Masters Degree, *my* Tea Party? Well, I’m flatttered.
The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and goodwill shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
6:21 pm
Masters Degree, those who do not support science (<–small caps) like Gore?
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
6:22 pm
Logical, 20% slice in budget – Please cite. thanks in advance.
Logical Dude
October 11th, 2010
6:24 pm
Jane,
time to walk the earth like Caine from Kung Fu.
Love that movie.
Masters,
Good talking to you and thanks again!
Logical Dude
October 11th, 2010
6:26 pm
Jane,
No cite, just my own estimate that 50% of armed forces is in US, 20% in Iraq, 20% in Afghanistan, and 5% everywhwere else. With the drawdown in Iraq, that’s about 20% savings we can get.
I’m sure there are other efficiencies to be found, but it’s just my own big round number.
(I do that sometimes)
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
6:26 pm
Logical, right backatcha, me too! Thank you as well
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
6:26 pm
I think we need to start own Party Logical DUDE… I agree with you 99%…
Why is Jane always trying to put people down and act like people are mooching off the system… I worked hard and I am debt free and have several homes… and did not have mommy and daddy to help me out….
what kills me is this… most of these right wing people have had it made and lived off the backs of hard working people for life… and have the nerve to act like someone is mooching…. you and your Bernie Madeoff types should be in jail….
People need this and it is the same tire argument I hear…. just say your against science and people unless it helps you specifically.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
6:32 pm
Masters, “mooching”? The current Admin has done nothing but “mooch” and wants us to accept it as normal behavior. I’ve never been in the position to “mooch” and wouldn’t know what that was like (poor family) so, where you’re getting this class-war perception, is beyond me. I didn’t accuse you of it, and have never been blessed enough to experience it, myself.
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
6:36 pm
Citizen Jane – that is a proclamation against Ammonites… check your history.
revelations 4
Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals. And I looked, and behold,in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
6:38 pm
Masters, oh G*d forbid I insult the Ammonites. Your point?
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
6:40 pm
Which Admin has mooched? Are you speaking of the President as an ADMIN?
How about the first Bail out and the money for the companies GM was done by YOUR republican President! It was the present President that made them pay it back instead of giving it to them with ZERO conditions…
again lets get on topic… you still have not made a valid argument of opposing embryo research. Face it hot air only fills balloons.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
6:43 pm
Masters, you have no argument against skin cell/stem cell treatment, yes?
The Democrats have been the majority in Congress since January of 2007. That means that Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have been pulling the purse strings since 2007
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
6:49 pm
My point is that your are MIS QUOTING THE BIBLE!
I said why I would never meet someone like you is psalms 1
your response was from left field.. oops.. i mean right field… a curse of Ammonites… children of LOT… soddom and gommorah… thats not my Lineage.. so your off base… way off base…
God does forbid ignorance… so I suggest you learn something before you open up your mouth and prove yourself
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
6:51 pm
Citizen Jane have you heard of an Executive Order? I guess not! that usurps both houses.. and that is who.. your right wing, bottom of class, does not read, former President Bush… fact check that.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
6:53 pm
Masters LOL! You’re forgiven, no worries! Be just as ignorant and offensive as you want to be. Just as the thieves who hung next to Jesus were, you’ll be forgiven. You might not appreciate it yet, but you will, eventually.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
6:55 pm
Masters Degree, which “Executive order” are you referring to, specifically?
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
6:56 pm
Obama overturns Bush ban on Stem Cell
http://articles.cnn.com/2009-03-09/politics/obama.stem.cells_1_cancer-and-spinal-cord-embryonic-cell-research?_s=PM:POLITICS
How about you come to me with some facts…
Bush VETO’s (what Democratics tried to do) 2007
http://www.lifenews.com/bio2148.html
what now?? what next I can learn you on.. yeah I said learn you something.
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
7:00 pm
HR 810 is the bill that he VETOED…. so stop trying to blame the Dems for having control because we had a C student Pres…
I hear birds chirping… can you just say you are wrong one time.. instead of back tracking and changing the topic!
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
7:01 pm
Masters, are you a dupe?
Executive Order Expanding Approved Stem Cell Lines
he following is the complete text of an executive order issued on June 20, 2007 by President George W. Bush expanding the approved line of stem cells available for medical research from sources other than human embryos or fetuses.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to provide leadership with respect to research on pluripotent stem cells derived by ethically responsible techniques so that the potential of pluripotent stem cells can be explored without violating human dignity or demeaning human life, it is hereby ordered as follows:
http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/healthcare/a/stemcelleo.htm
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
7:02 pm
Masters, I don’t believe you’re a fellow Engineer. I’m not sure you graduated high school.
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
7:04 pm
Citizen Jane… stop googling and read!!! ” without violating human dignity or demeaning human life” He explored ALTERNATE ways to do research WITHOUT USING STEM CELLS…
do i need bigger font for you?
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
7:05 pm
Masters LOL! He EXPANDED research?!?!?! That bastid!!!!
Seriously, this is the best you can do????