Writing this blog I hear a lot of stuff about stem cells all across the globe. Some of this is noise, but some is signal (i.e. real). What seems to be a very real and worrisome trend is that unlicensed for-profit treatments in the Philippines have exploded in the last two years. I would characterize […]
From Russia with love or…stem cells? Read More »
Today the Supreme Court announced it would not hear the Sherley v Sebelius case, ending the court battle that has left embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) in what I’ve called a “big chill”. This is great news. It is all over the mainstream media. Even the rampant anti-science, pro-lifers have declared defeat. I’m not going
A great day for stem cell research: more on SCOTUS & details on BioTime news Read More »
I’ve received such a huge response (more than 20 nominees) for the Knoepfler Lab Stem Cell Person of the Year Award and the nominees to date are so awesome that I’ve decided for practical purposes to end the nomination period a bit earlier than originally planned. Thus, tomorrow Dec. 13 will be the last day
What’s the big deal about unproven stem cell treatments, patients often ask me. Why should patients avoid these? Because paradoxically such treatments, intended to cure disease, can have devastating negative consequences for your health. I’m doing an eight-part series, “Eight simple reasons not to get a stem cell treatment”. The first two blog posts were
It was near to a stem cell wonk’s heaven to be in the audience for a panel discussion, entitled Understanding the Legal and Policy Challenges to Stem Cell Research, here at the World Stem Cell summit in Florida late this afternoon. The stellar panel included Jeanne Loring of Scripps, Beth Roxland of Hofstra University and formerly of
WSCS2012: outstanding panel discussion on legal challenges to stem cell research Read More »
I’m here at the World Stem Cell Summit in Florida. I just was in the audience for a great panel discussion on The Role of States in Regulating Stem Cell Therapies. It was contentious but raised almost all of the key questions in this area. There was particularly interesting and vigorous debate between two participants,
Next month will be the 1st Houston Stem Cell Summit organized by Robin Young, who also organizes the New York Stem Cell Summit. I’ve been a bit tough on this meeting for a perceived lack of diversity in their program of speakers. I interviewed Robin Young (RY) about the meeting and found his answers quite interesting
Intriguing interview with Robin Young, Organizer of Houston Stem Cell Summit Read More »
There are legitimate arguments about the degree to which the FDA should regulate stem cell clinics and the point-of-care, for-profit stem cell industry. I’ve held debates about that on my blog with argument on both sides including a very valuable debate between Dr. Chris Centeno and Doug Sipp. However, increasingly it is looking like the
As stem cell industry explodes, can a static FDA keep up? Read More »
How the organizers of the Houston Stem Cell Summit made a big flub? I wrote a few days ago about the big deal upcoming Houston Stem Cell Summit with Guv Perry as headliner and a big group of stem cell clinic folks speaking. There is a sense in the stem cell community that this
Houston Stem Cell Summit blows it and loses its website? Read More »
Next month there is going to be a new stem cell meeting taking place. The 1st Annual Houston Stem Cell Summit. The primary sponsor is Celltex. I’d encourage everyone to go, but I’m not so sure it’d be worth it. Why? I’m always glad to see another stem cell meeting and this one is surely unique in
Houston stem cell meeting lacks diversity & risks falling to groupthink Read More »