I have interviewed two folks on the very important US vs. Regenerative Sciences legal case: Dr. Chris Centeno and Doug Sipp. More background on the case can be found at the FDA Law Blog. I thank them both for their time and for sharing their unique perspectives. I have specific rules for these interviews and …
Centeno and Sipp interview on FDA stem cell oversight Read More »
The only biotech with an active hESC-based clinical trial, Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) will have three top leaders including CEO Gary Rabin participating in a CIRM webinar on stem cell-based treatments for eye disorders this Wednesday. Also involved with be Samuel Barone, a medical officer from the FDA. You don’t want to miss this one! …
Stem cells for eye disorders webinar: CIRM, ACT, and FDA together Read More »
Whether it is people or cells, how much control do we really have over their behavior? Very little. The Secret Service is at the center of a huge international scandal involving prostitution and potentially compromised nationally security. Clearly, the Secret Service failed to do their incredibly important job of protecting the President and national security, …
I have a Plumeria plant in my office in my lab and when I came in today (Monday), I found the Plumeria in bloom and giving off a very beautiful scent reminiscent of Hawaii. (update: note you may enjoy my “Scientist in the Garden” series). Wow! Holy cow, how did that happen? Ok, back up. …
Some scientists do really rotten things, a topic I’m exploring in a seven part series on what I call scientific sinning. I started my series on the sins of scientists a few weeks ago with a piece called “Failure to Cite”. “Failure to cite” refers to the practice whereby some scientists choose not to cite the papers …
Seven sins of scientists part 3: a need for speed Read More »
I have to say that Nutella is yummy. But it is also incredibly unhealthy in contrast to their advertising, particularly their promotion that Nutella is part of a healthy breakfast. It was a very successful campaign as one of my daughters every now and then eats Nutella for breakfast now but never did in the …
Dr. Zannos Grekos has administered so-called stem cell-based treatments to patients, at least two of whom have died following treatment in the last couple years. It is an understatement to say that Grekos is in serious hot water with various authorities at the state and federal levels. In the case of a 77-year old man …
Is Obama bailing out on support for embryonic stem cell research (ESCR)? As even casual readers of this blog easily surmise, I am a supporter of President Obama. I believe he has done a good job in his first term and deserves re-election. I also believe Romney would not be a good president, particularly as …
Obama giving up on embryonic stem cell research? Read More »
Lately the urban myth that there are embryonic stem cells in Pepsi has been spreading like wildfire. I’ve been doing some mythbusting part to squelch these flames (and not by pouring Pepsi on them), but it isn’t easy. Why does it even matter if some folks are going around saying there are embryonic stem cells …
Why the Pepsi stem cell myth matters: the dangerous spread of fiction-based reality Read More »
The conflict in Ireland over stem cells is still brewing and bubbling this week as I’ve been blogging it. It is remarkable to me that as just one person I have in a few days been able to have a substantial impact in that dialogue via this blog. There has been a rather large push …
David vs Goliath in stem cells: the global power of blogs Read More »