Politics
Wednesday March 17, 2004
FDA Mulling Permission for use of Embryonic Stem Cells in Humans Despite Previous Catastrophes
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MENLO PARK, March 17, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Geron, a California-based biotechnology company has applied to the FDA for permission to begin using stem cells derived from human embryos for research into spinal cord injuries. The research would focus on using the cells in animal trials, for early stage spinal cord damage, and the company says they expect to move on to human trials sometime in 2006 or 2007.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the FDA is considering the application while stipulating that the research concentrate on animal trials until "safety" can be assured for human trials. No mention is made of consideration of the ethics of using living human beings in experimental research.
No mention is made either of the inherent difficulties with using embryo cells for treatments. Such cells are derived from a different human being with a different genetic make-up. The body of a patient treats them as foreign invaders and stimulates a powerful immune rejection response. Patients must spend the rest of their lives on the kind of anti-rejection medication used following organ transplants. Many researchers have discounted the possibility of using embryo cells in direct therapies for this reason.
Patients treated with embryo cells have experienced disastrous and incurable side effects. The cells' generative powers continue to develop with no way to stop them once they are introduced into the body of a patient. However, despite the findings of previous studies with Parkinson's patients, which were called "catastrophic" and "horrific" by the scientists involved, Geron researchers are pressing ahead.
It is being found, furthermore, that the existing stem cell lines, because of the genetic instability of such cells, are developing genetic abnormalities and are useless for research. Instead of acting as a warning against using them in therapies, this has spurred more insistence on the creation of new stem cell lines.
See related LifeSite coverage:
STUDY DEMONSTRATES 'CATASTROPHIC' SIDE EFFECT OF FOETAL TISSUE TRANSPLANTS
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2001/mar/01030801.html
ABORTED FOETAL TISSUE USELESS AND DANGEROUS AS PARKINSONS TREATMENT
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2002/dec/02120301.html
Fetal Tissue Transplants Cause Disaster Again for Parkinson's Patients in Experimental Treatment
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/aug/03082503.html
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