After all this time writing on The Niche here since 2010, I still haven’t entirely resolved certain blogging dilemmas including when a patient discloses something. It’s kind of a jungle out there on the internet. What kinds of tough blogging dilemmas do I face? I’m just going to give you some examples of the more common …
Stem cell blogging dilemmas: patient disclosures, lawsuits, & more Read More »
I’m relatively new to podcasts, but am enjoying a new stem cell-focused one called Bad Batch by medical journalist Laura Beil, which I’ve been listening to in the car as I commute. I just finished episode three. I’m curious to hear how the next few episodes of the story unfold. I talked and emailed with …
Bad Batch podcast is must listen for stem cell community Read More »
Over the years I’ve asked patients to talk about their experiences getting a stem cell therapy. One particular post in 2016 has drawn almost 400 comments, many from patients. The insights provided by these patients and the questions asked in the comment stream have provided a unique window into what’s going on out there. There …
If you’ve had a stem cell therapy, how was your experience? Read More »
Stem cells for MS? How promising is that? A new paper gives stronger reason for hope, but unfortunately this story is more complex than it seems on first glance. New Paper The idea of using a stem cell-related approach to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) has been around for a long time holding major promise, but …
Upbeat Burt team pub on stem cells for MS comes with uneasy back story Read More »
Stem cells for arthritis and pain are hot topics these days and I’m getting an increasing number of patients reaching out with questions and sharing their situations related to arthritis or pain (or usually both together). I asked one arthritis patient who reached out to me if they would be OK with me sharing their …
Arthritis patient with pain’s email on stem cell clinic & my answer Read More »
I get asked many questions about stem cell therapies, but one of the most common over the years has been about the stem cell treatment cost. For instance, a reporter might ask, “How much does a stem cell treatment for MS cost?” and a patient might ask me, “How much is a fair cost for …
Update on stem cell treatment cost for 2018 from ongoing poll Read More »
Multiple sclerosis (MS) can be an extremely debilitating disease that ultimately is fatal in some patients and reduces life expectancy and quality overall substantially. An MS patient named Caroline Wyatt, who works at the BBC, had the courage to open up in full detail on the BBC about having MS, her experience getting an experimental …
Patient’s Powerful Story on Multiple sclerosis and Getting Experimental Stem Cells Read More »
Are you a risk-taker or do you do everything possible to avoid risks? Taking risks in science is necessary, but is there a wise way to take the risks you do? Science and medicine need a certain amount of risk and risk-takers to make transformative leaps forward. The risks in biomedical science can be conceptual …
Some thoughts on taking risks in science & medicine Read More »
Right-To-Try laws have been passed in many states across America, paving the way in theory for gravely ill patients to have the right to try unproven treatments of various kinds, and now there is a serious push underway for a national Right-To-Try law. What is a Right-To-Try law? Typically, these Right-To-Try laws allow for a patient …
Push for National Right-To-Try Law Raises Concerns in Stem Cell Community Read More »
For better or worse, I am in the unique position of being a stem cell scientist and also a former cancer patient. Looking on the bright side this gives me a unique perspective on things compared to many of my colleagues. I know there are thousands of people out there looking for more practical information …