In the coming weeks and months, I am going to run a series of posts (some interviews, some guest posts) on human cloning, the reproductive type. This is the kind of cloning where you take a person (living or dead) such as, let’s say Lady GaGa or Jesus, and you try to make a duplicate […]
Series on scientific & bioethics leaders discussing human cloning Read More »
The buzz topic in the stem cell field right now is whether the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) will take up the Sherley v Sebelius (S v S) case over the legality of federal funding of embryonic stem cell research in the U.S. The SCOTUS decision as to whether to hear the S v S should
Sherley v Sebelius: Will SCOTUS hear the case? What happens if it does? Read More »
Businessweek just published a very long, interesting article on Celltex by Susan Berfield yesterday. I was happy to talk with Susan at length about the key issues and be quoted in the article. See image at left of two key Celltex leaders, David Eller, CEO of Celltex, and Stan Jones above (Photograph by Thomas Prior
Nuggets and pyrite in Businessweek article on Celltex Read More »
Yesterday I was visiting L.A. and happened by the Walk of Fame, seeing many stars including the one of Barbra Streisand (below). Streisand has been doing interviews (see article here ) for both TV and newspapers regarding her advocacy for heart disease research for women. Interestingly, this interest of Streisand’s directly involves stem cells according to
Barbra Streisand: stem cell advocate Read More »
I’m taking a short break from working on a grant progress report this morning (yes, it’s Christmas Eve) so I thought I’d do a post on the holidays. As the very exciting, complicated year of 2012 winds to a close and the holidays are here, I thought perhaps it is a time to put things
Some holiday reflections on stem cells and people Read More »
I recently attend a conference in Florida called The World Stem Cell Summit. It was very enjoyable and unique in that it brings together and is open to all constituents of the stem cell world. I gave a couple talks and did an “expert” luncheon at this meeting, but what I enjoyed most was talking
Perfect storm dodged: what are three key challenges for stem cell field going into 2013? Read More »
Here on The Niche I’m giving out a Stem Cell Person of the Year Award for 2012 along with all my other annual awards (e.g. best stem cell journal, paper, blog, comic, activist, etc). 2020 update: you can see future winners of the award here. The Person of the Year winner will get recognition for
Stem Cell Person of the Year Finalists: time to vote Read More »
Every year I give out a number of awards (See 2010 and 2011 awards here). I usually do them all in one post, but this year I’m doing them mostly in separate posts. This is the first post for 2012 awards and this is for Stem Cell Journal of the Year 2012. Some brief background is in order. Last
Stem cell journal of the year 2012: Cell Stem Cell Read More »
Often on this blog I focus on challenges or problems in the stem cell universe, but sometimes it is important to focus on the good news and 2012 had much of that. There are more stem cell-based clinical trials than ever before and there is good reason to believe that many FDA-approved stem cell products
The good news about stem cells for 2012 Read More »
This morning here at The World Stem Cell Summit there was a healthy, frank discussion of the risks associated with receiving unlicensed, unproven stem cell therapies. Dr. Jim Guest presented first and gave a great talk about the risks associated with stem cell treatments. One such risk that was mentioned is inadequate characterization of stem
Frank panel on hidden dangers of stem cell treatments to patients at WSCS2012 Read More »