According to the Hill, Republicans have introduced legislation that would require “prioritization” of stem cell research by the Secretary of Health and Human Resources. Digging into the details, “prioritize” in this case means kicking hESC research to the back of the line so by “prioritize” what they really mean is politicize. The bill, sponsored by …
The CIRM Grantee Meeting will wrap up today in San Francisco with more great talks I am sure. It has been an inspiring meeting and one that fills me with hope for stem cell science to help a huge number of patients. The meeting was kicked off with a talk by Craig Venter, the amazing …
Venter: CIRM is the greatest scientific organization founded in our era. Read More »
Earlier I threw out there the idea that many different interested parties should come together to advance science. Something I called “big tent science” and “big tent team science”. I think CIRM is an outstanding example of this idea in action and I could see that in evidence today at the CIRM Grantee Meeting here …
More on Big Tent Science: CIRM Grantee Meeting off to an Exciting Start Read More »
Monday I did a post in response to an item that appeared in the Secondhand Smoke Blog by Wesley J. Smith where he invoked the opponents of ESC research favorite term to contrast so-called adult stem cell research with ESC research. In addition, he implied that George W. Bush deserved some of the credit for …
Lessons from getting attacked by ESC research opponents Read More »
As a stem cell scientist I hear all the time about how the pipeline from the lab to the clinic is incredibly slow and terribly inefficient. Meanwhile millions of people have conditions that the current state-of-the-art medicine cannot effectively treat. Somehow we need to make a fundamental change to improve this process. I think one …
Big tent team science: new ideas about clinical trials Read More »
George Bush deserves credit for iPS cells? No way. One of the weapons in the war against stem cell therapies is the use of a seemingly simple word: “ethical”. What does it mean to do ethical science in general and in particular what is ethical stem cell research? Who decides? According to the opponents of …
News flash: George Bush deserves credit for iPS cells? Read More »
There are many kinds of heroes in the world, but 10 years after 9/11 there are none more deserving of our tribute and memory than those who gave their own lives to save others on that tragic day in America as well as our men and women in the armed services who put their lives …
This is just the first in a series “Tales from the hood” about the stories of the stem cell scientists at the front lines of research. What really goes on in labs? After spending nearly half of my life being a scientist in one form or another including much time studying stem cells, I have …
Tales from the Hood: what really goes on in research labs? Read More »
Stem cell-based regenerative medicine has the potential to help treat not only humans with injuries or illness, but also veterinary patients such as dogs and horses. Is it also possible that stem cell technology could prevent extinction of endangered species? A recent paper suggests this may be the case. The paper in question by a …
iPS cells and endangered species: a recipe to avoid extinction? Read More »
Last night the Republican candidates for President of the United States, all of whom hope to garner the GOP nomination and face President Obama in the Fall of 2012, squared off in the first debate that included Texas Guv Perry. All of the Republican candidates voiced opinions that seem more extreme than what they have …
Presidential hopeful Perry and the pro-death agenda of the Republican party Read More »