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
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
7:06 pm
Citizen Jane are you SERIOUS!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? READING COMPREHENSION!!!!
expanding the approved line of stem cells available for medical research from sources other than human embryos or fetuses.
other than.. do you understand that… other than human embryos or fetuses…..
INot all Engineers are made the same.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
7:07 pm
BTW, Bush also spent more on AIDS research than any other President before or since, you could also slam him for that.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
7:07 pm
Masters, you’re not just reaching, you’re manufacturing. Seriously, I’ll give you a do-over
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
7:10 pm
Seriously… are you joking… you have got to be…let me see.. he Vetoes a bill to stop… meaning put a halt to EMBRYO. stem cell testing….. THEN HE makes an ORDER Expanding alternate ways…….
what are you not getting… YOU said that the DEMs could have passed some Stem cell bill and they tried but BUSH BLOCKED IT… then made an order to expand nothing… the gains in science could not be had through rubbing sticks together they need stem cells you ninny.
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
7:13 pm
LOL Masters, the research has expanded beyond the boundaries you set for it and you’re peeved?
I’m using this as an exercise in why voting Dem is completely backwards.
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
7:13 pm
This is what is up with you people who try to spin for a living …. when confronted with the facts you run.. change subjects… we are not talking about Aids…
we are talking about how you.. as a right winger came on AJC and said DEMs have had both houses since 2007 and could have done something….
I showed you a bill that was Vetoed.. and an Executive order that was saying the same language..expanding stem cell without the use of stem cells and still your clueless….
Just say your wrong… it will show that your a big person.. instead of a ninny.
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
7:18 pm
Citizen Jane
you said “LOL Masters, the research has expanded beyond the boundaries you set for it and you’re peeved?
I’m using this as an exercise in why voting Dem is completely backwards.”
Did you read it… it excluded… it did not include stem cell. Do you understand what Mutually exclusive means?
How is this an exercise in why voting Dem is backwards… we probably agree on plenty of Republican talking points .. marriage, government spending…
But you are obviously on something if you can not see that you said they DEMS had power and could have done something and I show you how BUSH usurped the DEMS by blocking the legislation and also expanding other testing and excluding stem cells… how does this not make sense to you?
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
7:19 pm
This is a typical plot by you right wingers… you will go silence when confronted by the truth… you have nothing to back up your fake facts and your surveys of your family and GOP conventions….
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
7:21 pm
Buh buh buh but….you want people to believe that the GOP is against all science not just faulty, bad science, right? We want answers, not just proof to bolster our already formed opinions. See the difference?
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
7:21 pm
birds chirping…
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
7:22 pm
Masters: are you honestly trying to argue that the Dems have not been in power since 2007? LOL!
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
7:25 pm
Citizen Jane… don’t tell me what I want… right now all I want is for you to ADMIT… that the DEMs did try to pass STEM CELL bills from 2006… BUT it way BUSH Who VETOED it and excluded STEM CELLS in his executive order… thats all i want.. you have the evidence…
All GOP might not be against it but this is proof that your top dog did veto it! and signed and executive order to exclude it from further testing….
Again thanks to President Obama who overturned your Parties foolishness….
What part of this is false??? Why you can not address this issues… I believe you minored in Politricks.
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
7:27 pm
Citizen Jane you said “Masters: are you honestly trying to argue that the Dems have not been in power since 2007? LOL!:
Ummm where did I even imply that?
I said the power was usurped by a science hating, no reading, leaving children behing, former President.
Why are you not answer.. what part of what I say is flawed??
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
7:29 pm
Bush didn’t exclude testing, he expanded it. I’m not sure how you’re missing this point. LOL
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
7:36 pm
Citizen you posted
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
can you read
George W. Bush expanding the approved line of stem cells available for medical research from sources other than human embryos or fetuses
expanded from OTHER SOURCES OTHER THAN>>> OTHER THAN>>> OTHER THAN human embryos or fetuses… YOU ARE NOT SMARTER THAN A 5th GRADER
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
7:37 pm
OTHER than.. he expanded for sources other than… you understand.. he vetoed the bill for stem cell and then had the executive order for other than stem cell..
CitizenJane
October 11th, 2010
7:45 pm
No, it’s all “stem cell”. What part are you missing?
Masters Degree
October 11th, 2010
7:55 pm
so excluding embryo stem cell ummmmm how is that all stem cells?
What are you smoking over there? they must not drug test you at your engineering firm… because you are totally waco typical right wing facist
Slotl
October 11th, 2010
8:14 pm
Believe what you want — but don’t FORCE ME to comply with your opinions.
Truthsayer said: “he is Catholic and follows the party line” All I have to say to Truthsayer is G-d gave you a brain. USE IT TO THINK FOR YOURSELF!
voice of reason
October 11th, 2010
9:24 pm
Please forgive me as I have not read all the posts. I have a question. Did I read somewhere that Masters did not want to “swipe” someone with the “brush”? But isn’t saying, “totally waco typical right wing facist” “painting” a group of people?
martial artist
October 11th, 2010
9:30 pm
Masters, I had no idea that nurses charged for care. When did this happen? And I always thought it was doctors charging for care. I think I might go to nursing school.
Ann
October 11th, 2010
10:16 pm
Congratulations and Good Luck to all the researchers, scientists, doctors and all who are involved in this groundbreaking and indeed revolutionary breakthrough. People who oppose embryonic stell cell research and therapy perhaps should acquire a disease like cancer, parkinsons, diabetes, muscular dystrophy etc. themselves. Then they may understandhow important it is. The embryos being used for this research were being discarded when they could have potentially cured people with life threatening diseases. People who have dreadful diseases with no cure in sight are indeed estatic. Many people including President Obama and Michael J. Fox have been working hard to finally see this research come to fruitation and deserve a BIG THANK-YOU.
I deeply respect President Obama for banning President Bush’s terrible decision regarding embryonic stem cell research. President Oboma is a decent and caring human being demonstrating empathy and concern for the sick who don’t have a cure for their disease. President Obama should have been President ten years ago. Perhaps we may have some cures today!
David
October 12th, 2010
1:21 am
@Ann, thank President Obama all you want, but this particular research was not prohibited under President Bush (as is pointed out in the blog post and the source article). His administration never banned embryonic stem cell research. It restricted funding, limiting it only to those stem cell lines that had already been created from destroyed embryos.
Now, some can argue that’s still getting in the way of science, but it’s hardly the reactionary religion-above-science meme that’s been presented in comments here and elsewhere. Bush’s regulation was an attempt to navigate some pretty difficult ethical waters. You may disagree with that decison, but if you go back and read President Bush’s speech announcing his decision, you’ll find that there was a lot of honest thought put into this.
And for those who keep talking about abandoned embryos: you’re absolutely right. Which is one reason why the Catholic Church considers in vitro fertilization to be wrong. Again, you may disagree with that, but the logic is consistent.
And, finally, I totally understand how some are uncomfortable with those who base their pro-life views solely on their faith. But the pro-life stance can be made without regard to religion. I’m a devout Catholic, but even if I were an atheist I’d still be pro-life.
Slotl
October 12th, 2010
9:50 am
David,
If you are sooooo pro-life, what are your feelings about end of life care (probably the most expensive part of Medicare)? I bet you are one of the first to want to cut Medicare coverage to save money.
You may object to stem cell research, but, my friend, you are not in the majority and since you are not in the majority, you may speak your peace, but let science take it’s correct place in medicine.
To correct you, Bush limited stem cell research to very few lines of stem cells. Obama has “opened” the use of stem cells DISCARDED by in vitro fertilization. Let me rephrase DISCARDED that means THROWN AWAY. What difference does it make if the stem cells are thrown away and used for a valuable purpose? ….since, in your opinion, the stems cells are “people”.
Ann
October 12th, 2010
9:59 am
I don’t believe that anything should stand in the way of advancement in the medical field. I haven’t witnessed God curing any incurable disease. I totally disagree to abortion when a woman gets pregnant and ends the life of a healthy baby. If on the other hand, the baby is diseased with an incurable disease or has a serious condition the parents can’t cope with, then it is their decision. It is their right. It is their choice. If they choose to end the pregnancy, I would never contradict their decision, or think that their decision was wrong.When it comes to embryos being discarded when they could be used to help another person, WHY NOT? I am also a Catholic.
Ann
October 12th, 2010
10:09 am
David, I am very happy that the MAJORITY of Americans are in favour of stem cell therapy, whether it is embryonic or adult. The American government should do as their citizens have requested. President Bush was a dictator when it came to embryonic stem cell therapy. He did not follow the will of the people who elected him. He vetoed the bill that the government wanted passed.
If you, a member of your family or a close friend has an incurable disease, you would understand how important it is to research everything, embryonic or adult stem cells to find cures.
CitizenJane
October 12th, 2010
12:00 pm
Ann, you said: “I don’t believe that anything should stand in the way of advancement in the medical field”
Dr. Mengele would wholeheartedly agree.
Truth Sayer
October 12th, 2010
12:04 pm
Ann – the President is not obligated to “follow the will of the people” this would be a democracy, which we are in fact NOT! The President is obligated to follow and uphold the Consititution of the United States – which would be a Constitutional Republic – which is what WE ARE! Oh yeah, the “people” do not elect the President and you have no right to vote for the President of the US. This is all done by the Electoral College.
All of you that are in favor of killing embryos to allow someone else to live keep on being happy – you will be judged for you in-action to save those who have no voice by the Lamb of God!
Truth Sayer
October 12th, 2010
12:09 pm
Ann, what do you mean somthing that the parents cannot cope with? God never places anything on us that He knows that we cannot handle. Did you know that 90% of the time a doctor makes a diagnosis that a child is “abnormal” or has a “disease” that the doctor is wrong? Ann you cannot call yourself a Catholic if you in any way shape or form support any form of abortion. It is against Church teaching and you cannot eat from the buffet line of Catholicism. The reason that we should not use Embryos that are going to be discarded is that it is wrong. These children deserve to be protected and cared for. The embryos are alive when they are discarded.
Truth Sayer
October 12th, 2010
12:13 pm
Hey Slotl – I do use my brain and think for myself. God gave me the choice to follow the world or to follow Him and His teachings. I chose God over the world for the world can offer me nothing. The party line that I tow is Catholicism.
Ann
October 12th, 2010
2:49 pm
Truth Sayer: Why are elections held if American citizens do not elect a president of their choice. Majority should always rule in a democratic country, as the U.S.A. professes to be. America never wanted a dictator.
Hopefully people who speak as you do never encounter a dreadful, incurable disease. Because if embryonic stem cell treatment would be the only option – then DIE because God hasn’t listened to anyone’s prayers with an incurable disease. Good luck! Maybe he’ll listen to your prayers.
CitizenJane
October 12th, 2010
3:53 pm
Ann: this country is not a Democratic country. As the old saying goes: Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for lunch. We are not, were never intended to be and indeed, do not want to be, a Democracy.
Regarding the last part of your statement. Total lie. You do hope that people who speak as Truth Sayer do encounter a dreadful, incurable disease. Because, you would consider that karma, yes?
I’m sure Truth Sayer will say a prayer for you. Because that’s the kind of person he appears to be. Completely refuting the much touted belief that Christians are intolerant and hateful.
I’d rather be around a million Truth Sayers, than one of the so-called “accepting of all comers” (as long as you’re just like us) hate filled, liberals.
I'Joni
October 12th, 2010
5:16 pm
I read an article a few years ago regarding the use of stem cells to treat various incurable diseases. What concerned me (and still does) was that everyone in the previous study I read about was stricken with cancer after the treatment was underway. I wonder if they have worked out that particular issue within their research or are they just going ahead with these trials in spite of the likelihood that the patients will develop cancer afterwards? I can see parapalegics or others with diseases like Parkinson’s or AIDS agreeing to be guinea pigs for the sake of finding a cure for their respective disease even at the cost of their health. Hopefully these trials will result in cures for the patients.
Jeff Sutter
October 13th, 2010
1:21 pm
Speaking on my views. There is no life or personhood until the combined egg and sperm have attached themselves to the uterus. The Bible in all its instances refers to the womb as the beginning place for life. Given that there is no life nor any baby “cut in half” in the petri dish. Also realize that these cells are sustained in a feeder culture that would prevent ever using them for in vitro fretilization (they are among the President Bush’s grandfathered lines). Instead of pointing fingers at Democrats, Republicans, Christians or whoever get your facts straight and accurate before ranting about this. In this trial there were no babies or lives taken and I applaud Shepherd Center for engaging in the trial. I see claims here that no ESC has ever helped an SCI patient. True it has never been tried under the rigor of the U.S. FDA. If it had been it would have been listed at http://www.clinical trials.gov . What happens in third world countries where the standards and protocols are many times non-existant is hard to say. I read of ESC causing cancer. B.S. To test for pluripotency you inject the cells into an animal. If they form an undiferentiated mass they are pluripotent and useable. This undiferentiated mass could be defined as a cancer but in fact it is merely a measure of cell potency and is the desired result. Get all the facts then support or oppose it with your advocacy, your vote and your dollars. If you are not willing to investigate with an open mind then shut up. I personally have supported this for years and will continue to do so because I have taken the time to investigate and take the rhetorical, political and religious emotion out of my analysis. Yes I am both a Christian and mostly Republican.
Jeff Sutter
October 13th, 2010
1:28 pm
One more tidbit: http://www.harrisinteractive.com/NewsRoom/HarrisPolls/tabid/447/ctl/ReadCustom%20Default/mid/1508/ArticleId/579/Default.aspx
Truth Sayer
October 13th, 2010
2:11 pm
CitJane – Thanks for the kind sentiments. Indeed I have said a prayer for Ann. My father died from cancer and if he were here today he would tell anyone that would listen that he would rather die the death willed to him by God than to take another’s life to save his own.
Ann – The reason that we have a vote for President is to give people a happy-feely feeling and to vote in a popularity contest. The Electoral College are the people who vote for the President. Read the US Constitution – 12th Amendment. Tehy meet on the Monday after the second Wednesday in December to case their votes for President and Vice President. You apparently went to government school if you believe that we are a democracy. You will not find the word democracy in any of the founding documents, on the contrary you will find that our founders abhored the mere mention of the word democracy. I love CitizenJane’s analogy of the sheep and the wolves – so true!
And lasty – just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should!
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[...] is anti-stem cell research (in a state where there have been several attempts to bar embryonic stem cell research), [...]