A new report from the National Academies of Sciences (NAS), Engineering, and Medicine here in the US recommends a policy significantly more cautious on first read for 3-person IVF than that in place now in the UK. My initial take on this new 164-page report is that it is very well thought out and the …
I just did a blog post today on the striking story of someone doing DIY CRISPR gene therapy on themselves. A question came to mind. How long until someone does a DIY attempt to CRISPR themselves? In the DIY gene therapy story, the person was injected with so-called “gain-of-function” viruses to try to reap health …
Tick Tock Genetic Clock: How soon until first DIY CRISPR of self? Read More »
CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology is red-hot right now and I’ve been doing interviews with various thought leaders on it, which today includes Steven Pinker. This technology has great power for research in the lab and there are hypothetical transformative clinical applications of CRISPR too. The latter efforts could include experimental attempts at reversal of disease-causing …
Steven Pinker interview: case against bioethocrats & CRISPR germline ban Read More »
You probably have heard by now about the controversial video (below) showing the senior director of medical services of Planned Parenthood, Deborah Nucatola, discussing the procurement and distribution of fetal tissues from abortions for research. The film was taken secretly using a hidden camera by anti-abortion activists who concealed their real identities. It was edited …
Perspectives on Planned Parenthood Fetal Tissue Video Read More »
Organoids are pretty big in stem cells right now with the last couple of years having attracted a lot of media attention on mini lungs, mini brains, mini kidneys, mini guts and more, giving the impression that scientists know how to specify and organise cells into mini functional organs in the lab. Organoids have become …
Carla Kim & Hans Clevers talks on organoids at #ISSCR2015 Read More »
A decade ago I wrote an article in the journal Nature Biotechnology about the rise of a new gene editing technology called zinc finger nucleases (ZNF). It was one of those “drumbeat” discoveries: at the time, my sense was it would revolutionize how we deliver genes to cells and tissues, and profoundly change the way …
Guest Post by Chris Scott–The Great CRISPR Controversy: What’s Next? Read More »
Stem cell biotech company Bioheart ($BHRT) has had a rough 2015 so far. Could this year be a decisive, negative tipping point for the company? It has a number of clinical trials going, but from my view things seem increasingly uncertain. An oddity amongst stem cell biotechs, Bioheart and its leadership have at times seemed to toy …
I invited the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Bioheart, Kristin Comella, to do an interview after hearing some buzz that this could be a critical time for the company and that it might have been recently visited by the FDA. Note that Comella not just Bioheart CSO, but also the primary instructor for physician training in stem …
Interview with Bioheart CSO, Kristin Comella including on FDA Read More »
By Jane Langille A few weeks ago, I wrote to Dr. Paul Knoepfler after reading his book Stem Cells: An Insider’s Guide because I was intrigued by his stem cell theory of aging. I wondered if his theory might mean that someone who mobilized and donated hematopoietic cells might be shortening their own lifetime supply. After …
Risks for Healthy PBSC Donors? One Family’s Powerful Experience Read More »
In the last few months the FDA has taken steps toward crystalizing regulatory oversight of stem cell and more broadly cell and tissue-based therapies. These steps come in the form of several draft guidances (see here, here, and here) . The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) has responded to the draft guidance on Minimal Manipulation. For example, ARM has …
ARM Asks FDA for Clarification on Draft Guidance on Minimal Manipulation Read More »