Stem Cell Blockbuster During Obama’s First Week
EmailMichelle Schlief of ABC News’ Medical Unit:
Word of the FDA approval of Geron’s clinical trial to treat recent spinal cord injury patients with human embryonic derived cells has drawn enthusiasm from leading stem cell researchers. And there are already indications that other applications will be soon to follow.
Dr. Robert Lanza of Advanced Cell Technology tells us that his company plans to file with the FDA to begin a clinical trial this summer testing a prevention for blindness using embryonic stem cells.
One of the leading experts in the use of stem cells for spinal cord injury repair, Dr. Naomi Kleitman of the National Institutes of Health, says one of the biggest holdups with using embryonic stem cells has been that the cells haven’t been able survive in a patient – but the fact that this trial is happening is proof that Geron has found a solution to this problem.
Dr. Nicholas Ahn, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at University Hospitals in Cleveland, believes that the choice to begin the trial in spinal cord injury patients is particularly good because of the lack of treatment options — "there is so much potential," he said. "A door has been closed for a long time and it has finally opened."
Dr. Kleitman believes that going forward we’ll be seeing more funding and encouragement for stem cell research from the Obama Administration.
While many have dismissed the idea that the timing of the FDA’s decision has anything to do with the change of power in Washington, others, like Dr. Lanza, speculate that the FDA might feel freer to push forward knowing that one of President Obama’s campaign promises was to reverse former President Bush’s ban on funding for embryonic stem-cell research.
There is an expectation in the air that President Obama will issue an executive order reversing this ban sometime next week. However, one source believes it is possible that the President may turn the issue over to the National Institutes of Health for their recommendation, in order to defer the controversial issue.
Going forward, ethicist Ruth Faden executive director of the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics, cautions that the FDA must be vigilant in watching this trial, since this is the first time embryonic derived stem cells will be given to humans. "If the trial goes well than this would be a boost for [this area] of science which could also increase support from the public," she said.
In the trial, a group of approximately 10 paraplegics who have recently lost the use of their legs will be injected with cells derived from embryonic stem cells, according to Dr. Tom Okarma, president and CEO of Geron Corp., who spoke with Good Morning America earlier today.
These stem cells have been pushed in a direction that will help the damaged spinal cord, said Dr. Kleitman. These cells play a supporting role and help the nerves to start working properly again, she said.
"If Geron can show it’s safe to derive stem cells into patients, that will be an important precedence to enhance future trials for all diseases that could benefit from this work – from juvenile diabetes to other types of neurological disorders," said Dr. Sean Morrison, Director of the University of Michigan’s Center for Stem Cell Biology, in an interview with "GMA."
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What a blessing! Now, just maybe, we can start on real research to discover new methods of using stem cells to help everyone. Thank you President Obama, for not bending to the whacko neocons and their silly arguments against stem cell research.
Posted by: democratic | January 23, 2009, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm
This is great news Thanks President obama for supporting Stem Cell research and not giving in to the crazy whako far righties!
Posted by: ANGIE | January 23, 2009, 2:28 pm 2:28 pm
You do realize that embryonic stem cell research has been going on in other countries and also in the United States (it just was funded by our federal government).
This research has been funded by some well known foundations (lots of dough).
It’s not like the researchers were waiting for that last bit of money to find ‘the cure’ – you know – like Jerry Lewis’ cause – with all of that money, they still haven’t found a cure.
Posted by: just an observation | January 23, 2009, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
I am hopeful that we will realize success in this trial and that people who were previously paralyzed will be restored to normal functioning. We have waited far too long to provide help for these people and I’m thankful that it’s now coming with the leadership of our new president.
Posted by: Brother Bill | January 23, 2009, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
Yep, stem cell research has been going on without the help of the federal government.
Nothing wrong with that.
Let us all pray that with the Obama reversal unborn fetuses don’t get lined up for their blender time in government supported research labs in order to harvest those precious stem cells.
Posted by: Noz | January 23, 2009, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
boy sorry but yeah 8 years of yes “whackos”….why don’t you put your decisions about saving other people’s lives based in astrology… or in the beliefs they believed out of religious teachings in the 1700′s and burn people at the stake…
there is a reason why the founding fathers separated church and state… so our decisions were made on what facts we have…not teachings of faith.
Otherwise women would not be able to get out of a beaten marriage or hold a job or be equal…
lets hope those people who die from not having this research full board in time don’t hold it against those who kept them from being saved when they those people show up at the gates saying “we did what we were taught” what was that parable about… “listen to what they say but do not follow there practices”
oy.
so many people whose lives were taken and families whose burden was crushing…all because of dogma…and nothing to do with the balance of true right and wrong.
Posted by: d | January 23, 2009, 3:21 pm 3:21 pm
Noz,
Embryonic stem cells come from embryos, not fetuses.
Posted by: WWW | January 23, 2009, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm
Thanks for the clarification WabbaU.
I’m obviously not a scientist.
So before 8 weeks there’s a bunch of stem cells but after 8 weeks they are all gone?
I thought there were stem cells in the umbilical cord at birth.
just goes to show what the hell I know.
Posted by: Noz | January 23, 2009, 3:40 pm 3:40 pm
Religion and it’s practices are a result of the self
centered male ego and the resultant need to use the practice for domination. See Males: Catholic, Islam and Evangelical. The invention of the belief of hereafter is the fear of that ego has of its ceasing to exist. We are responsible for our own existence in this universe and we had better step up to that responsibility very soon. The failure to do so means it will soon go on without us.
Posted by: cpathenry | January 23, 2009, 3:54 pm 3:54 pm
As an MS patient facing serious disability later in life, I’m happy with Obama. His position on this has made a democrat out of me.
Posted by: renee mc c | January 23, 2009, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm
No Noz, after 8 weeks they become fetal stem cells. And there are hematopoietic stem cells in umbilical cord blood. But this blog is about embryonic stem cells, the most versatile type of stem cell.
I’m no scientist either.
Posted by: WWW | January 23, 2009, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm
Huuuummmmm . . . . .
So the thing to do now under an Obama admin is to get some donated eggs, collect some loose sperm and start up some embryonic stem cells in a Petri dish say at USC?
Posted by: Noz | January 23, 2009, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
Best part of Advanced Cell Technology is that this company uses technology to create human embryonic stem cells without destroying embryos. Ethical Embryonic Stem cell technology.
Posted by: Harminder | January 23, 2009, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm
Lanza will be the Bill Gates of Stem Cells. In 10 years ACTC will save and improve many peoples life.
Posted by: Dan | January 23, 2009, 7:00 pm 7:00 pm
At Actc ask Dr Lanza he can acheive getting the cells and never destroy the embryo.No these arent fetuses.. Stem cell is great id you rub your hand together millions of cells fall off your hand. Dr Lanza and West are probably one of the leaders in this industry and Actc is little known
Posted by: patjeanes | January 23, 2009, 11:17 pm 11:17 pm
I posted “Just on observation”, Noz.
I think you misread my intent.
I’m against stem cell research that uses embryonic cells.
It’s not necessary according to a lot of scientists.
The embryonic stell cell research has been going for a long time now. I heard on a documentary that The Howard Hughes Foundation was somehow funding a research somewhere (I don’t remember where).
If the cure hasn’t been found yet, it’s not for the lack of money or embryonic stem cells (I’m sorry to say.)
I do hope cures come quickly for all who need it. I just hope we don’t lose our soul.
If you think this is melodramatic or ignorant, that is your opinion.
The above is my opinion.
Posted by: just an observation | January 24, 2009, 1:49 am 1:49 am
Dr. Carlos Lima has been treating paralysis patients for years with the use of olfactory tissue. Naturally, because embryonic stem cells are not used, it didn’t make it into your broadcast, let alone into the Top Story.
Posted by: bmmg39 | January 24, 2009, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm
I’m getting rather tired of such uninformed people blathering on about “church and state.” Religion has nothing to do with this issue. Human embryos are human beings according to science, not religion. Many atheists and agnostics are rightly opposed to ESCR, as it requires the destruction of embryonic human beings, whether you believe in a higher power or not.
Posted by: bmmg39 | January 24, 2009, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm
What “science” claims a human embryo is a human being?
Posted by: just asking | January 24, 2009, 10:48 pm 10:48 pm
Oh, I dunno, just every biology textbook that raises the subject.
Would you like some excerpts?
Posted by: bmmg39 | January 25, 2009, 1:25 am 1:25 am
“People who hold a pro-life view regard the human embryo from the moment of conception as a fully protectable human being,” said Dr. Ronald Green, director of the Ethics Institute of Dartmouth College. “People like to think that the biology is going to tell us something definitive,” he said, but added, “The biology only poses decisions.”
Posted by: just saying | January 25, 2009, 3:49 am 3:49 am
Hey, look, it’s been a full year and NOTHING has come of this research! What a huge surprise. This trial, like everything pushed by Geron and the embryonic stem cell promoters, completely failed. It was halted in August ’09 by the FDA. So let’s see, that means 0 FDA trials and 0 disease treatments for embryonic stem cells, but over 1400 FDA trials and 83 disease treatments for adult stem cells! What kind of politically motivated fool would continue to believe the hype about embryonic stem cells? Only the ones who profit from it (Geron holds all of the ESC patents and Congressmen get plenty of kickbacks for spending public tax dollars on this failed science). I wonder where the updated story is on ABC, letting us know what an utter failure this has been.
Posted by: Melissa Larson | January 25, 2010, 12:22 am 12:22 am