I know. I know. Scientists are not supposed to publicly talk about the question of when life begins and about death, but these are kind of important things to talk about and think about, don’t you think? I do. So here goes…. It’s been a very intense, crazy few weeks for me and for many […]
Some thoughts on life, death, and stem cells Read More »
Today the US Federal Court of Appeals via a 3-judge panel ruled in favor of continued NIH funding of human embryonic stem cell research (hESCR). The ruling is a setback for pro-life extremists trying to shut down a very promising avenue of stem cell-based regenerative medicine with their lawsuit. It’s a good day for the
Analysis: what does the federal court embryonic ruling really mean & what’s next? Read More »
The culture warriors of the Right to Life movement and some of the more radical elements in the Tea Party have waged war on embryonic stem cell (ESC) research and researchers. Tagging along like some reluctant bride has been the leadership of the Republican Party. Folks like Mitt Romney and his partner, Paul Ryan, now
Has the culture war on stem cells turned into a cold war? Read More »
Are we ready to start using iPS cells in patients in the near future? Say in just a couple years? Are they ready for primetime? I think the answer is clearly “no”. I believe that iPS cells, a new type of stem cells, are one of the most exciting and important developments in biomedical sciences
iPS cells not quite ready for primetime? Read More »
Tagalog Translation Ano ba ang mga stem cells? Ang katawan ng tao ay puno ng daang-daang uri ng selula, bawat isa’y importante sa pang araw-araw na gawain. Ang mga selulang ito ay responsable sa iba’t ibang mahahalagang proseso nang ating pangangatawan tulad nang pagtibok ng ating puso, pag-iisip, paglilinis nang ating dugo, pagpapalit ng selula
Ano ba ang mga stem cells? Read More »
In December 2011 I wrote a piece about a possible “perfect storm” of events that could crush stem cell research. Was I being too pessimistic? Now that we are into July 2012 making this fall very much closer on the horizon, how’s the forecast now? That perfect storm if anything seems more likely now. I
The perfect storm that may kill stem cell research this fall: moving closer Read More »
I love paradoxes. The great artist M.C. Escher was famous for his paradoxical drawings such as the one above. Paradoxes make people think in a whole new way about something they thought they understood. The stem cell field is full of paradoxes. Below I list my favorite ones. Some of these resonate with stem cell
Intriguing stem cell paradoxes: from Pepsi to Pluripotency Read More »
Yesterday I announced the category 1 (age 18 or younger) winner of my stem cell essay contest. The fascinating topic was what do we become if we start replacing our parts with transplants. Prize? Publication and $50 iTunes gift card. Today I announce the winner of Category 2, Agnes Oshiro of Davis, CA. Congratulations, Agnes.
Stem Cell Essay Contest Winner Category 2: Agnes Oshiro Read More »
Last year one of the biggest events in the stem cell field was biotech Geron punting its embryonic stem cell (ESC) program. Much consternation followed. Some folks opposed to ESCs happily pronounced ESC research dead. Some folks in favor of ESC thought the world was ending a year early. Others tried to look on the
The stem cell gestalt of Geron Goodbye and the future of ACT Read More »
TGIF It’s been a wild week on this blog with many thoughts going out to the future of stem cells in Texas. What about stem cell headlines of the week? Some wildness there too and lots of discussion of translational applications, which is exciting. This week let’s start in reverse order with the ugly and
TGIF: good, bad, ugly stem cell headlines of week of May 25 Read More »