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Month: February 2013
Silence kills science? My invitation to RNL Europe CEO Glenn McGee to do a Q&A interview on his company
In the comments section of a recent post on adult stem cell treatment safety on this blog, the CEO of RNL Europe, Glenn McGee made the philosophical statement that “silence kills science”. It’s an interesting thought and I think to some extent there is truth in it. Openness, data-sharing, dialogue…these are all good things. In …
Could new Pope equal new Vatican policy on stem cells?
The Catholic Church has long opposed embryonic stem cell research even as it has shown signs of getting more interested in adult stem cell research. I am an advocate of both types of research and both go on in my own lab. Now that we will have a new Pope this year, I wonder how …
Could new Pope equal new Vatican policy on stem cells? Read More »
My national radio interview on stem cells on Science Fantastic: you can listen here
I had the pleasure of being interview on the cool nationally broadcast science radio show, Science Fantastic with Michio Kaku. It was great fun! I just listened to it for the first time (I was too busy this weekend when it was live broadcast) and I think it actually turned out great. Who knew? CLICK HERE …
My national radio interview on stem cells on Science Fantastic: you can listen here Read More »
Comic on stem cell facelifts
Hundreds or even thousands of patients are getting stem cell procedures including right here in the U.S. Many key issues remain unresolved, but clinics and doctors are giving these treatments anyway to make money. Critical issues include lack of proper informed consent, lack of strong data on risks and benefits, huge costs, and so forth. …
My ‘back of napkin” list of top action items for cancer stem cell field
Recently I spoke about cancer stem cells at a retreat. The presentation style was informal and enjoyable as it allowed for people to talk frankly about topics. It encouraged questions and outside-the-box thinking. As I was eating some yogurt at breakfast at the meeting awaiting my turn to speak, I decided I would scrawl my …
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RNL Bio files IND with Korean FDA to transplant adult stem cells to treat cerebral palsy: what’s the scoop?
The Korean-based stem cell biotech, RNL Bio, which also does business in the U.S. as RNL Bio and Human Biostar Inc, reportedly (seems to be a press release, PR) has filed an investigational new drug (IND) application with the Korean FDA (KFDA). The purpose of the application is to test the efficacy of autologous adult stem cells …
Some 2012 papers that raise serious safety concerns about adult stem cell treatments
Just how safe are stem cell transplants? Is an autologous stem cell transplant always safe? Is it really true, as one stem cell transplant doc once said of autologous stem cell treatments, that “the worst thing that could happen is the treatment won’t work”? Are adult stem cell treatments by definition safe? The reality is …
Some 2012 papers that raise serious safety concerns about adult stem cell treatments Read More »
Critically reading science papers: response to patient on MS stem cell literature
One of the most important elements of science is critical reading of papers. Most of us come into science as undergrads feeling somewhat naive about what we read in papers. Our default tendency is to believe most or all that we read as “true”. As we get more experienced, we realize that in fact if …
Critically reading science papers: response to patient on MS stem cell literature Read More »
Thoughts about the NPR piece on stem cells
The recent NPR broadcast on stem cell therapies lit up my email inbox. Everyone wanted to know if I had heard it. I was working on about 10 things at once that day, but I ended up listening to it while walking my dog, Elvis, later that night. A few things struck me about the …