Yesterday I did an interview with the President of ICMS and then today I did a follow-up post providing my recommendations to them publicly on how they should move forward. Why did I do this? Or to paraphrase a stem cell scientist who just now let me have it: “Why the #*@#$&^# did you do …
The Catholic Church, particularly the Vatican, has a bit of a split personality when it comes to stem cells and other “controversial issues” such as assisted reproduction and contraception. Officially, they oppose these things, but behind the scenes most everyday ordinary Catholics support them. This divide has become all the more apparent in the last …
Vatican’s doomed stem cell meeting still haunting them Read More »
Wait, what’s that taboo elephant doing in the IPS cell lab? You don’t see it? I’m starting a new series called “The Elephant in the Lab” where I discuss controversial laboratory topics that people are usually too afraid to publicly discuss. We are starting with iPS cells. (for a description and definition of iPS cells …
Taboo topics about iPS cells: the elephant in the lab series Read More »
I’m discussing the seamier side of science in a seven part series on what I call scientific sinning, including science hype. The first three pieces in this series covered Failure to Cite, Paper or grant killing and a Need for Speed. Today we talk about how bad it can get when scientists hype their work and I’m going …
Earlier this year, Dr “LookGood” aka Dr. Steven Victor, cosmetic surgeon to the stars, received a warning letter from the FDA over how his clinic was handling stem cell-related procedures. The FDA listed 16 issues as problems. On April 20, Dr. Thomas E. Young of Young Medical Spa in Pennsylvania also received an FDA warning …
Have we crossed the tipping point to stem cell disaster? Read More »
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 »
What’s the scoop on stem cell sports medicine? So far the role of stem cells in sports medicine is essentially all hype. We see sports stars getting stem cell treatments that are not approved by the FDA and have little if any science behind them. I covered stem cell sports medicine in an earlier post …
Stem Cell Sports Medicine 2.0: entering the red zone Read More »
The heat is rising in a push to deregulate dubious adult stem cell therapies and it is Republicans turning up the thermostat on this emerging pet issue of theirs. We’ve seen the Texas Medical Board passing weak rules for regulating adult stem cell therapies under pressure from Rick Perry and adult stem cell biotech, Celltex. …
Stem cell deregulation push is deadly serious threat to the field and patients Read More »
Is Vitamin D a miracle drug or a disappointment like almost all other vitamins? Just recently there was a piece saying that Vitamin D may reduce pain. Today there was another news article saying Vitamin D may protect men against more aggressive prostate cancer. You name the condition and Vitamin D is claimed to help with …
Vitamin D: is this supplement helpful or hype-ful? Read More »