What’s been up the past week in terms of news in the stem cell world? The Wall Street Journal reports that the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) has signed a 20-year lease on a much larger space, in fact twice the current size, in Manhattan. That would seem to be a great sign of …
Stem Cell News Briefs: NYSCF, Sleep & Transplants, NFL legends, & More Read More »
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) summit on Human Gene Editing will begin in a few days on December 1 in Washington, D.C. This summit is in part the extension of discussions that started at a more informal meeting on CRISPR earlier this year in Napa organized by Jennifer Doudna and colleagues. The NAS meeting …
Live Blogging NAS Human Gene Editing Summit: #GeneEditSummit Read More »
I’m thankful for a whole bunch of things on Thanksgiving including family, but here I wanted to talk specifically about why we should be thankful for science. At this moment in history it is plainly evident how greatly past science has helped the world and at the same time how intensely the world needs research …
A few weeks back I started a poll focusing on whether people would have a designer baby if they could. With nearly 200 responses so far, the results are very mixed (see image). One conclusion from this I think is that we need more information on possible risks versus benefits. Another element here is that …
Poll finds near equal split on question: would you have a designer baby? Read More »
NASA researchers have been interested in the effects of space travel and in particular microgravity (μg; not to be confused in this context with the common abbreviation for micrograms) on stem cells. For instance, see the past piece “Stem Cells Take Wild Ride in Space Capsule”. In a new NASA study led by Dr. Eduardo A.C. …
Stem cells in space with NASA: microgravity reduces regenerative potential Read More »
It’s been a busy few weeks for the stem cell field. Below are some news briefs on developments. RetractionWatch reports that Piero Anversa is leaving Harvard/Brigham and Women’s Hospital after an investigation and dismissed lawsuit he filed against the institution. All still quiet on the STAP cell front at the same institutions. There’s some more …
Stem Cell News Briefs: Anversa, Japan Regs, Ocata Suit, More Read More »
Over the years I’ve heard from quite a few patients of stem cell clinics who feel very strongly about their experiences. Some have quite positive views on getting stem cell interventions, while others feel very negatively about the stem cell clinics. I’ve heard more of the latter kind of experience. People often tell me that …
After a seemingly endless period of review, the FDA has approved the genetically modified (GM) AquaBounty salmon for sale and consumption. Update: You might find my interview with George Church on CRISPR and gene modification interesting. I don’t see any particular reason to think that this GM fish as a food would pose any significant …
FDA approves 1st GM animal (fast-growing salmon) to eat Read More »
A recent piece on CRISPR genetic modification in the New Yorker called The Gene Hackers or Human 2.0 by Michael Specter is striking in a number of ways. I highly recommend it. The article provides an in-depth look at CRISPR and its potential use for human editing. I like how the article brings so many …
Haunting Doudna nightmare about Hitler wanting CRISPR Read More »
Please take our new poll. Would you have a genetically modified baby? There are a lot of issues and even feelings to factor into this question Please tell us in the comments why you voted the way you did.