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FDA approves second human embryonic stem cell trial
November 22nd, 2010
07:15 PM ET

FDA approves second human embryonic stem cell trial

For only the second time in history, the Food and Drug Administration has approved human trial of a therapy developed from embryonic stem cells.

William Caldwell, CEO of Massachusetts-based Advanced Cell Technology (ACT), tells CNN that 366 days after filing the application, the FDA granted approval for his company to start a clinical trial using cells grown from human embryonic stem cells.  The treatment will be for an inherited degenerative eye disease.

"Were still absorbing the fact that we finally got the approval" says Caldwell.  "The real work lies ahead."  Getting the trial going is the next big step, says Caldwell.  He hopes the first patients can be enrolled by the first quarter of the next year.

In July the FDA gave the Geron Corporation the final go-ahead for its study, which led to the first human being injected with cells derived from human embryonic stems last month. In that study a newly paralyzed patient had a stem cell treatment directly injected into the spinal cord. While the immediate goal is to test the safety of these cells, the ultimate goal in Geron's trial is to permanently repair damage cause by a spinal cord injury.

When ACT's clinical trial gets under way, it,too, will first test the safety of the cells they're injecting.  The company is hoping to find a cure for Stargardt Macular Dystrophy, the most common form of juvenile macular degeneration, for which there is currently no cure.  It affects about 1 in 10,000 children. People with this disease usually start losing their sight between the ages of 8 to 10 years and can be legally blind by the time they reach their 30s says Caldwell.

Embryonic stem cells are only four to five days old and have the ability to turn into any cell in the body.  But the cells patients will receive in both of these clinical trials aren't pure human embryonic stem cells.  Geron has coaxed its cells into becoming a type of cell that insulates nerve cells.  ACT's stem cells have been turned into healthy retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells.   RPE cells are naturally found behind the neural retina and it's the death of these cells that leads to blindness in patients with macular degeneration.  The company says their animal studies found vision restored after these new RPE cells were injected.

If this treatment works, Caldwell believes it could be applied to other diseases that lead to blindness, including age-related macular degeneration, which affects millions of Americans and will only increase as baby boomers continue to get older.

ACT's  method of removing stem cells from an embryo is different from Geron's. ACT developed a method in which only one stem cell is removed from an embryo, similar to a method  used in some fertility clinics to test an embryo for genetic abnormalities.  That stem cell is then used to grow many more stem cells.  By removing only one stem cell, the embryo is not destroyed. Destruction of embryos  is the main reason that embryonic stem cell research has been so controversial.


soundoff (169 Responses)
  1. Barbara

    We are so hopeful!! Thanks to NIH for pushing forward with this trial.

    November 22, 2010 at 19:52 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Ravi

      Science is a hope for Humanity, Ultimately hope for millions as they will be able to see again- i hope

      November 22, 2010 at 23:45 | Report abuse |
    • Mark

      nice - sounds awesome

      November 25, 2010 at 23:07 | Report abuse |
    • ScienceReally

      Wonder how many people on this board who are pro embryonic stem cell research have donated their own embryo's to the cause? Waiting...............? Pretty easy to create an embryo folks....waiting............?

      Oh, l get it, let the "other" people donate them. Like their is an overabundance of unused embryo's out there. I Bet "fresh" is far better than frozen, right? What do you think is next then? Come on, some PhD's out here........

      Who on this board will be the first to take their perfectly "unharmed" embryo and implant in their partner's uterus? Waiting......? That would be the ultimate proof, correct? Oh, but I bet you wouldn't dare.

      People are desperate for cures, at any cost. So, to that I say, how many embryo's have proponents actually donated themselves?

      December 24, 2010 at 00:22 | Report abuse |
  2. Disgusting

    So, a chronic pain patient cannot get the much needed medication ( Darvocet) to function in life but yet they can mutilate an embryo. Nice.

    November 22, 2010 at 19:56 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Tom

      Read the article! They are not destroying the embryos! So put your pitchfork and torch away nutjob.

      November 22, 2010 at 20:52 | Report abuse |
    • Isaac

      mutilate the embryo?... Did you even READ the article?

      November 22, 2010 at 20:55 | Report abuse |
    • Boss

      Why read when you can see two words like "Stem Cell" and immediately go to the comments section to voice you opposition to something not relevant to the article?

      November 22, 2010 at 21:27 | Report abuse |
    • SurRy

      I doubt anybody truly NEEDS Darvocet to function in life.

      November 22, 2010 at 23:22 | Report abuse |
    • SurRy

      "Why read when you can see two words like "Stem Cell" and immediately go to the comments section to voice you opposition to something not relevant to the article?"

      Addiction, most likely.

      November 22, 2010 at 23:23 | Report abuse |
    • Rigel54

      What is disgusting is the scientific illiteracy of a very large number of Americans, including the author of this comment. That we as a nation are at their confused and deluded mercy is depressing.

      November 22, 2010 at 23:54 | Report abuse |
    • ~the more you know~

      also DARVOCET is quite toxic and outdated. there are better meds available for pain management, and it was about time darvocet was pulled from the market.

      ~the more you know~

      November 23, 2010 at 01:14 | Report abuse |
    • ZenithSage

      I think you have macular degeneration disease because it looks like you could not read the article. They are NOT destroying embryos.

      November 23, 2010 at 01:54 | Report abuse |
    • LONG LIVE ACTC

      So you want to eat a "medication" that can kill you, but knock a company's scientific breakthrough that will help thousands and possibly millions of people. They do not destroy the embryo!vTHERE IS NO DEBATE ANYMORE! USING ACTC TECHNOLOGY STEM CELL RESEARCH HAS NO LIMITATIONS NOW!!!! THE CURES ARE ENDLESS!!!

      November 23, 2010 at 02:15 | Report abuse |
    • perna

      whats disgusting is your ignorance to the procedure...................perna

      November 23, 2010 at 02:35 | Report abuse |
    • Larsam

      i prefer them mutilate an embryo and find new cures and advances in the medical field than getting some pain medication to a person. let see logically here. one person vs curing millions?

      November 23, 2010 at 06:39 | Report abuse |
    • Zeppelin

      I doubt you're a chronic pain patient. You're probably just addicted and cranky. Go eat a sandwich.

      November 23, 2010 at 08:54 | Report abuse |
    • Mark

      hmmm - not sure you read the article

      November 25, 2010 at 23:07 | Report abuse |
  3. Joshman

    Science wins again. Suck it, religion.

    November 22, 2010 at 20:44 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      Embryonic Stem Cell research has not produced a single cure, nor has it treated any diseases EVER! Adult Stem Cell Research (using bone marrow, umbilical chords, etc), however, has produced cures and treatments for over 73 different diseases. Embryonic Stem Cell Research is nothing but a joke to try and justify abortion

      November 22, 2010 at 20:49 | Report abuse |
    • Tom

      Brian. Embryonic stem cell research was banned for all sense and purposes during the last president's regime. And if ACT and Geron make positive advancements in these two stated trials it will me be far greater then any gain seen from adult stem cells.

      The embryo's are not being destroyed by ACT. Read the article. Sry these embryo's are not being aborted.

      November 22, 2010 at 20:55 | Report abuse |
    • Rossum76

      Brian that's because we are way behind the rest of the world in this category thanks to your hero Bush. Give it time and the embryonic cells will soon outperform the adult cells. I still just don't get it, these are cells if not used would be destroyed.

      November 22, 2010 at 20:59 | Report abuse |
    • Brian

      So if it wasn't banned in the rest of the world, then how come the rest of the world has not found a single cure for any diseases either?

      November 22, 2010 at 21:01 | Report abuse |
    • realworld

      We haven't cured cancer either, Brian; I guess we should stop trying. Abortion and embryonic stem cell research are two separate issues. To say one is done because of the other is asinine.

      November 22, 2010 at 21:31 | Report abuse |
    • ScienceGuy

      Stem cells were NOT banned under President Bush. Only the development of new embryonic stem cell lines. Everyone likes to think they understand science and use it to argue their point, even if they don't actually know what they are talking about. This goes for either side of any debate.

      November 22, 2010 at 21:43 | Report abuse |
    • mattbo

      LOL

      November 22, 2010 at 21:52 | Report abuse |
    • BriGuy

      Oh you silly people. I am a PhD in a related field and I am certainly 100% for any stem cell research, and I am certainly no fan of Bush or the current president... But you all got it wrong.

      Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research was banned under Bush. Research or developing new cell lines was not illegal. There might have been some red tape making it difficult to develop a new line, but it was never illegal; just the federal funding was illegal. Semantics.

      November 22, 2010 at 22:06 | Report abuse |
    • MedStudent

      brian, how could embryonic stem cell research have produced a cure for anything if it was blocked for so many years?

      Also, tell me how many abortions have ever produced embryonic stem cells?

      the answer: 0. embryonic stem cells are made in a test tube they do not involve aborted fetuses.

      you fail.

      November 22, 2010 at 22:24 | Report abuse |
    • Nicholas A

      ... It was definately president Clinton that pushed the 10 year moritorium on embriotic stem cells through congress look it up because i dont have to (and Im still in school no PHD) LOL

      November 22, 2010 at 22:55 | Report abuse |
    • Rigel54

      "ScienceGuy" (intentional italics), legal stem cell lines were critically limited by the administration, effectively freezing advancement in that area. The number of viable lines was far less than the deceitful administration claimed, and the area of research basically stopped.

      November 22, 2010 at 23:57 | Report abuse |
    • tjames

      Brian... There has been a hold on Embryonic research. It's illegal, not ineffectual. You're repeating nonsense

      November 23, 2010 at 11:51 | Report abuse |
    • Mark

      Wahoo - to that!!!

      November 25, 2010 at 23:08 | Report abuse |
  4. Casan

    As religious lunatics of the right block progress in science in the U.S, Americans will soon be forced to get these kind of treatments in other countries.

    November 22, 2010 at 20:48 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      Except that Embryonic Stem Cell Research has not produced a single cure or treatment for anything, ever. It has however produced special, fast-growing tumors

      November 22, 2010 at 20:50 | Report abuse |
    • mary

      As long as us "lunatics" think of a embryo as a life you can bet we won't be for this.. Why should one human loose any hope of having a life at the hands of another. And then have that life, that was rightfully theirs, used to benefit another..?
      Thats adding insult to the injury..

      November 22, 2010 at 21:28 | Report abuse |
    • BriGuy

      Well there are a lot of us on the right who do not identify with the neocons. We believe in personal liberty and therefore pro-choice. At the very least, it should be a state's rights issue. What works for Utah doesn't work for Massachusetts. We love and embrace science, and progress. We are trying to take our party back.

      November 22, 2010 at 22:11 | Report abuse |
    • Mark

      Agree that medical tourism will be huge - tremendous

      November 25, 2010 at 23:10 | Report abuse |
  5. Isaac

    Woot!!! Chalk up another victory for fans of human progress!!!

    November 22, 2010 at 20:51 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      There has not been any progress in over 40 years of research

      November 22, 2010 at 20:53 | Report abuse |
    • Isaac

      Yeah... because the research has been blocked by ignorant fools that have invisible friends they talk to

      November 22, 2010 at 20:58 | Report abuse |
    • Brian

      Isaac, Europe (a much more secular society than the U.S) has been doing this research as well and they still have not found anything either

      November 22, 2010 at 21:00 | Report abuse |
    • Mark

      Block religion - religion hasnt done anything in several hundred

      November 25, 2010 at 23:11 | Report abuse |
  6. Robert

    So why has this taken so long to get to trials? 366 days to approve an application? There are thousands who would gladly agree to an efficacy trial now. Seems like FDA is protecting existing drug pipelines since they know stem cells will be highly disruptive.

    November 22, 2010 at 20:52 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      I think most people who looked into it would not want to be one of the ones tested. Embryonic Stem Cells have resulted in fast-growing tumors in some cases

      November 22, 2010 at 21:15 | Report abuse |
    • Robear in Ojai

      Brian: You can't say on the one hand that Embryonic stem cell research hasn't produced anything in the last 40 years, and then turn around and proclaim the stem cells therapies are causing fast-growing tumors... What drugs are you on?

      November 22, 2010 at 23:47 | Report abuse |
  7. Isaac

    And that's probably because it's never been allowed to be tested, researched, and studied Brian.... because brainwashed ignorant bible thumpers that believe myths and fairly tales written by primitive farmers during the bronze age managed to equate microscopic goo to an unborn baby..... Go Science!!!!

    November 22, 2010 at 20:53 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      This doesn't have anything to do with religion, it said in the article that they aren't destroying embryo's. It's a matter of wasting more money and research. Embryonic Stem Cell Research has been going on for over 40 years, not just in the U.S. So far it has produced no cures or treatments for anything. Adult Stem Cell Research has been going on the same amount of time, and has produced cures and treatments for over 70 different diseases. Why should we take away funding for something that does work for something that doesn't work

      November 22, 2010 at 20:58 | Report abuse |
    • Isaac

      It has EVERYTHING to do with religion... in America anyways where only like 30% of the population thinks evolution is true.... and why not do both?

      November 22, 2010 at 21:06 | Report abuse |
    • Brian

      Isaac, why not do both? Because money doesn't grow on trees. Why don't we spend it on something that works. And it really is surprising that so little people in the U.S believe in evolution seeing as their has yet to be an alternative that has been accepted in the science world. I guess people are just skeptical of the holes in the theory

      November 22, 2010 at 21:10 | Report abuse |
    • Isaac

      embryonic stem cells can become all types of cells in the body and adult stem cells can only become cell types of their origin... the difference is night and day and it HAS NOT been equally tested... not even close

      November 22, 2010 at 21:19 | Report abuse |
    • Brian

      Your right, so far that is the case. But Embryonic Stem Cells have still presented no cures for anything, and has provided no indication that it will, which is why I think we should not fund it with federal dollars. Now if a scientist working in a lab somehow finds a way to make it work, I'm fine with that, and I hope it involves the technique they are using now so that religion does not come into the debate. But there is no reason for us to waste more tax dollars on this, as it has not yet worked in any part of the world, and Adult Stem Cell Research has been a huge success up to this point

      November 22, 2010 at 21:28 | Report abuse |
    • semantics not satanics

      Embryonic research has been going on for 40 years? I had no idea. I though defined growth media had only been around for about twenty or thirty years. So all this research over the past 40 years on embryonic stem cells, which are easier to procure, grow, maintain and study have had no impact on the current understanding of cell division, differentiation, de-differentiation, and migration that are essential to these (purported) amazing adult stem cell therapies. really? Adult stem cells are so different. That's amazing – incidentally, these clinical trial appear to be privately funded. Why didn't they just use adult stem cells? Oh, that's right b/c embryonic stem cells have specific characteristics that make them superior to adult stem cells (which is why recent developments towards tractable pluripotent adult stem cells is such a big deal).

      November 22, 2010 at 21:32 | Report abuse |
    • MedStudent

      that's a lie brian, this is the 2nd clinical trial ever allowed, the block on federal funding paralyzed this field for a decade.

      you aren't a PhD in any science field. maybe some joke field like social work.

      November 22, 2010 at 22:27 | Report abuse |
    • MedStudent

      brian there is no such thing as a functioning adult totipotent cell. you fail once again.

      stem cell is an all encompassing term, you are obviously not a scientist or you would have understood this. Embryonic stem cells are totipotent, there is no adult equivalent.

      November 22, 2010 at 22:29 | Report abuse |
    • Mark

      Woot - to science

      November 25, 2010 at 23:12 | Report abuse |
  8. Brian

    We should not be wasting our money on Embryonic Stem Cell Research anymore. The rest of the world has been doing it for years now and have yet to find a single cure for any disease. Adult Stem Cell Research has found cures and treatments for over 73 different diseases, and the number keeps growing. We should fund Adult Stem Cell Research fully, and quit funding Embryonic Stem Cell Research. It, to this point, has been a failed project.

    November 22, 2010 at 21:04 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Jeremy

      It almost seems as if Brian has something to gain (a vested interest?) from continually pushing adult stem cells over embryonic stem cell research. Anyone with a moderate understanding of cell biology knows that embryonic stem cells are more promising in disease research.

      November 22, 2010 at 21:35 | Report abuse |
    • MedStudent

      there is no such thing as adult totipotent cell lines.

      when we talk about embryonic stem cell research we are talking about totipotent cells, you are trying to confuse people and use the layperson's term of stem cell to encompass adult "stem cells"

      of course adult stem cell research does well, because there are hundreds of types of stem cells but they can only be used for one purpose.

      embryonic totipotent stem cells have cured paralyzed mice already, proof of concept has existed for decades if you were a scientist you would know this already but you are not a scientist, you are a 12 year old living in your mothers basement and you're trying to disguise your religion as scientific discussion. we aren't fooled.

      November 22, 2010 at 22:31 | Report abuse |
  9. Codepwned

    @Brian – Learn to use google. http://www.cordblood-bank.net/cord-blood-stem-cell-transplant.htm

    November 22, 2010 at 21:16 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      Codepwned, LEARN HOW TO READ! They used UMBILICAL CHORD BLOOD! That is a form of Adult Stem Cell research

      November 22, 2010 at 21:20 | Report abuse |
    • Brian

      what an absolute idiot

      November 22, 2010 at 21:21 | Report abuse |
    • MedStudent

      umbilical cord blood is NOT adult stem cell research lol what a tool you are.

      November 22, 2010 at 22:32 | Report abuse |
  10. Observer

    Brian,

    You might want to READ what others are saying. Claiming that stem cell reseach is just to justify abortions shows a lack of reading before commenting. Reseach!

    November 22, 2010 at 21:21 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      Observer, I know, and this is obviously a different case since it sounds like the embryo is not destroyed using this method. But in the past, that is all it has been about, seeing as Embryonic Stem Cell Research has provided no benefit to society to this point

      November 22, 2010 at 21:24 | Report abuse |
    • Isaac

      and agian that is because it HAS NOT been tested like adult stem cells have... not even close.... and even if the embryo were destroyed it should still be researched in my opinion... equating microscopic goo in a petrie dish to an unborn child is ridiculous and yet another example of the ignorance and stone age thinking of religion getting in the way of human progress.... just like the earth being round, revolving round the sun, studying the human body to see how it worked, evolution, etc. etc...

      November 22, 2010 at 21:35 | Report abuse |
    • Brian

      Isaac, the point I was making is that if it can be done without destroying embryos, it would be easier on everybody. And for somebody who sounds to be for scientific freedom so much, I bet you would cringe at the idea of a school giving equal time for evolution and intelligent design or something like that

      November 22, 2010 at 21:45 | Report abuse |
    • Isaac

      Well seeing as one is based on a Mt. Everest size pile of evidence, and the other is based on faith and fairy tales... yeah... that is most definitely cringe inducing to me

      November 22, 2010 at 21:55 | Report abuse |
  11. arguablybetter

    YES! that much closer to the Zombie Apocalypse

    November 22, 2010 at 21:23 | Report abuse | Reply
  12. kelly

    Brian,
    Have you noticed that every time you post, you repeat what you said from the previous post? I just figured that after this many posts you would defend your theories with actual websites that back your opinion. Personally, I think any research on the subject is necessary, even if the research proves that embryonic stem cells aren't useful. Give it time, and scientists may find some useful reason for them.

    November 22, 2010 at 21:37 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      It's not opinion that Adult Stem Cell has produced cures and treatments for 73 different diseases and Embryonic Stem Cell Research as produced none. It's a fact, why don't you look it up and prove me wrong

      November 22, 2010 at 21:40 | Report abuse |
    • MedStudent

      brian stop repeating yourself you're trying to be sneaky and confuse people.

      stem cell research HAS produced treatments, it has repaired broken spinal cords in mice, it has grown body parts from scratch in mice (ears, etc). The funding wasn't there to get clinical trials up. it's only been 2 years since the ban was lifted and already 2 clinical trials are under way.

      stop pushing your religious agenda we aren't fooled

      November 22, 2010 at 22:34 | Report abuse |
  13. Observer

    Embryonic stem cells can generate ALL cell types in a human body.
    Adult stem cells can only generate a LIMITED number of cell types.

    To try to limit the possibilities for incredible health advances is just ignorant. Science will march forward.

    November 22, 2010 at 21:38 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      Yet they have not produced anything other than faster-growing tumors thus far. Instead of wasting our money on such a failure of an experiment, why not look for something better?

      November 22, 2010 at 21:42 | Report abuse |
    • Observer

      Anyone who has studied science knows that it can take a long time and a lot of failures before a major breakthrough is achieved. To put an artificial limit on a potential miracle is illogical thinking that belongs to religion, not science. Ignoring that we have identified building blocks that could generate and replace ANY failing cells is just sticking one's head in the sand.

      November 22, 2010 at 22:02 | Report abuse |
  14. whatnext

    Brian, this is obviously your life's mission. Where is your site?

    November 22, 2010 at 21:40 | Report abuse | Reply
  15. Isaac

    I've owned ACTC stock for almost 2 years now.... so this is great news for me on not only the scientific/human progress front but hopefully the financial front as well!!!

    November 22, 2010 at 21:43 | Report abuse | Reply
  16. kelly

    Brian,
    Give me one site that proves your opinion. Just one site that lists the same statistics you claim and I may believe you.

    November 22, 2010 at 21:43 | Report abuse | Reply
    • thinkformyself

      actually, all I had to do was google "has embryonic stem cell research caused tumors" and the results were there – now, allow for the wacko sites that are inflating news, but the data backs Brian. No ESC research has cured anything yet – there have been hopeful findings, but the ESCs have caused tumor growth. Remember people, these cells can become anything and that includes cancer cells.

      November 22, 2010 at 21:52 | Report abuse |
    • Brian

      I tried to leave some sites, but my comment is "waiting moderation" so idk if you will see them. But it's not hard information to find

      November 22, 2010 at 21:53 | Report abuse |
    • thinkformyself

      I am always skeptical of sites that people give, that is why I didn't give any. My point was that if you wanted to find information either for or against what Brian is stating, it is pretty simple with a quick google search. I am not going beyond that.

      November 22, 2010 at 22:13 | Report abuse |
  17. thinkformyself

    for those who claim that these recent findings were blocked by the "last president's regime," please read your history again. The research was limited to the existing chains of ESC of which there were ample amounts to grow from and continue study. Researchers were not allowed to create more chains by destroying embryos. The goal, as stated by the previous President, was that alternative methods would be found to further the research. While GWB was still in office, scientists discovered a way to change an adult cell into a cell that behaved exactly like an ESC. The press declared that GWB had been "vindicated" for his decision in limiting the line and stating that he was confident that science would find other ways. This discovery even made Ian Wilmut (the sheep clone doctor) announce that he would no longer pursue cloning and would use the new method instead. So exactly how did we stop progress? Sounds like we are ahead of the curve and that our scientists are thinking outside of the box, so to speak. What exactly is your gripe here?

    November 22, 2010 at 21:45 | Report abuse | Reply
    • kelly

      Thinkformyself,
      Ok, so give me one URL that states that there have been 73 cures with ASC and none with ESC. That's all I'm asking for. A response like "all I had to do was google it" doesn't give me a URL of a scientific site, now does it?

      November 22, 2010 at 21:55 | Report abuse |
    • jheron

      Thinkfor yourself. Adult stem cells do not behave exactly like ESC... not to this day...maybe eventually. One problem with Adult stem cells is that the cells are damaged due to the aging process. Science is working on how to repair Adult cells and reverse the aging process.
      There is a lot I do not know about this stuff, but it seems there is a lot you do not know either.

      November 22, 2010 at 22:54 | Report abuse |
  18. Jerry

    I think Brian and his ilk are simply afraid that embryonic stem cell research may one day find a cure for asininity and the "God Delusion" and that society will force him and the other mentally ill 'thumpers to take the cure, thus freeing us all from religion and its horrors.

    November 22, 2010 at 21:47 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      so, because you have no argument against all the facts I have state, you try to call me a religious nutjob and some sort of mental patient? No wonder your side is losing the argument

      November 22, 2010 at 21:52 | Report abuse |
    • Isaac

      Absolutely.... "No Science No Truth, Know Science Know Truth"

      November 22, 2010 at 21:52 | Report abuse |
    • Anonmous

      I am a christian as well and this really has nothing to do with me being a christian or not. It is simply our belief if there was a cure for every illness that has fell upon us then our world would being extremly over populated which we are now. Were all are going to die that is a promise that was made to all we were promised life and death except that don't go out and call us religous nut jobs because we are christians of course yes in some ways i do agree with stem cell research but not at the mercy of taking a life. I have done a lot of research on this subject so do not throw that at me. If you agree that taking procious life from something just to save your own you are a selfish human being.

      December 2, 2010 at 12:09 | Report abuse |
  19. kelly

    Jerry,
    "God Delusion", really? I mean REALLY? Please keep assinine opinions to yourself.

    November 22, 2010 at 21:49 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      I know, if we want to be told we are stupid for having faith in something only slightly less believable than life on earth forming out of nothing, then we will ask the man who you got that stupid line from, Richard Dawkins

      November 22, 2010 at 21:57 | Report abuse |
    • Observer

      "less believable than life on earth forming out of nothing"

      So instead believe that God formed out of nothing?

      November 22, 2010 at 22:05 | Report abuse |
    • Brian

      possibly, the problem with the Origin of Species, Darwinist theory, is that it does not explain the origin of species. It explains evolution, but not the origin of how the first cell was created. That is why an Intelligent Designer could be argued

      November 22, 2010 at 22:16 | Report abuse |
  20. zach

    if your excuse fr this being negative is the length of time that this has been studyed and no results, then look at all of the other diseases that hve been researched. if you look at cancer, we have gone decades without finding a cure for this, but we still gladly fund it. so whats the big fuss

    November 22, 2010 at 21:56 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      actually, Adult Stem Cell Research has provided for treatments of many different types of cancer

      November 22, 2010 at 22:06 | Report abuse |
  21. kelly

    Why does every scientific arguement on this site turn into a religious debate?! Let people believe what they want to believe, and keep the conversation at a scientific level, please.

    November 22, 2010 at 21:58 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      I completely agree. I feel that the scientific community has to stop acting like they are clashing with religion. If science wants to truly accelerate and become more popular among the general public, they should acknowledge religion as a possibility in finding out new information about the world, and not try to disprove something that cannot be disproven

      November 22, 2010 at 22:13 | Report abuse |
    • thinkformyself

      well said, Kelly

      November 22, 2010 at 22:14 | Report abuse |
    • brianisdumb

      That brian guy sounds like a high school student. Who else says "I'm much smarter" when if they supplied important facts they wouldn't have to assert that?

      November 23, 2010 at 02:22 | Report abuse |
  22. Brian

    I'm trying to post URL for my argument but it doesn't seem to be working on CNN's site. But information is not that hard to find, just look on google. Like that moron, "Codepwned", above did in order to prove himself wrong without even knowing it

    November 22, 2010 at 22:02 | Report abuse | Reply
  23. Brian

    Hey! I found a site basically saying exactly what I have been saying!

    stemcellresearch.org/facts/treatments.htm

    November 22, 2010 at 22:04 | Report abuse | Reply
  24. Akshun

    40 years of Embryonic Stem Cell Research is a NOT a complete truth. Yes, the research started on mouse embryo's in 1964, but Human Embryonic Stems Cells were not isolated until 1998. That makes the science only 12 years. Subtract 8 years of Bush's policies and that makes it really on 4 years. Fertilized embryo's should not be destroyed for research and rightfully so.

    Here's a fact and complete truth: CURRENT SCIENCE NO LONGER REQUIRES AN EMBRYO TO BE FERTILIZED OR DESTROYED.

    November 22, 2010 at 22:05 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      Yet we are finding that Adult Stem Cell's from bone marrow are not isolated to a single type of cell, and can form different types of cells, much like Embryonic Stem Cells. So why should we federally fund this project that is becoming more of a failure everyday, while Adult Stem Cell research is accelerating forward

      November 22, 2010 at 22:10 | Report abuse |
  25. PARROT

    MORE BABIES WILL BE KILLED IN THE NAME OF THE FDA....WHAT A SHAME!!!

    November 22, 2010 at 22:07 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      actually the new procedure being used here does not require killing any babies or embryos. You should read the article

      November 22, 2010 at 22:10 | Report abuse |
  26. Observer

    What did God or the Bible say SPECIFICALLY about abortion?

    November 22, 2010 at 22:10 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      why are you making this a religious issue when it doesn't even have to be to prove that Adult Stem Cell Research is clearly a better investment of our tax dollars than Embryonic Stem Cell Research?

      November 22, 2010 at 22:11 | Report abuse |
    • Observer

      See Parrot's comments above.

      November 22, 2010 at 22:16 | Report abuse |
    • Brian

      yes, but that most likely comes from some nitwit who knows nothing about the subject anyways. For those of us who do know something about it. It is fairly obvious that no religious aspect is needed to agree that Adult Stem Cell Research is proving to be a way better investment than ESC Research

      November 22, 2010 at 22:18 | Report abuse |
    • Observer

      Agreeing that "Adult Stem Cell Research IS PROVING to be a way better investment than ESC Research" does not mean that it will win out in the long run. Embryonic stem cells are somewhat analygous to atoms. If we can figure out how to manipulate them, we can build whatever cell we need. We wouldn't have the limitiations of stem cells. It took well over 150 years from when the concept of atoms arose and when we were able to manipulate atoms to create a nuclear bomb.

      November 22, 2010 at 22:28 | Report abuse |
    • Brian

      it appears that it will win out in the long run... they are already finding ways to manipulate stem cells from bone marrow into many different types of cells, so it shouldn't be too long until they find a way to turn them into whatever cells they want. And in the meantime they will still be able to treat and cure the 73 different diseases they have already provided treatments for

      November 22, 2010 at 22:31 | Report abuse |
  27. chris

    brian
    you should just stop youre fighting a losing battle, i admit i am not a smart person but even i can see that these people just want to help others, and nobody asked for you to give cells of any kind so just leave the research for the scientists and go re-read your bible or just make some productive use of your time instead of being a tool.

    November 22, 2010 at 22:19 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      again, another idiot who thinks that making this a religions argument somehow makes them right. And although they are trying to help others, it doesn't change the fact that it is a waste.

      November 22, 2010 at 22:26 | Report abuse |
  28. Observer

    Behind nearly every great discovery and invention was someone saying "You are wasting your time. It won't work".

    November 22, 2010 at 22:31 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      And behind millions of useless wastes of time, the people who said that were right

      November 22, 2010 at 22:33 | Report abuse |
  29. sara

    What should it matter what research did what? research is made to learn from either mistakes or victories. if it never happned we would never know. if we make a mistake we try and learn from it. if it could help our kids or grandkids or even our great great grandkids, why wouldnt want to do it and research whatever it is? it may not be right now or maybe even 50 years from now but if it could help anything in life dont you think it would be worth it?

    November 22, 2010 at 22:33 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      Because we already have something better

      November 22, 2010 at 22:37 | Report abuse |
    • Isaac

      No.... we don't either Brian... wow you're really pushing an agenda here while showing no supporting evidence.... EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS HAVE NOT BEEN FUNDED AND TESTED LIKE ADULT STEM CELLS HAVE.....good god man

      November 23, 2010 at 08:15 | Report abuse |
  30. kevin

    This embryo stuff all will be moot in several decades. Just take your DNA, plop it into a machine crafted embryonic stem cell, and live forever. Woot! Take that God. What omnipotence designs creaky knees and blindness anyway? Sheesh. Fail.

    November 22, 2010 at 22:36 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      This is the reason why so many people in the science community are stupid. Why attack god when so many people believe in him? Do you think it is going to make people want to learn about science by calling them stupid and saying their beliefs are a lie?

      November 22, 2010 at 22:39 | Report abuse |
    • kevin

      1) you mean "it", unless G(g)od has testes.. 2) Nope, I believe people will stick to their own ways until they contradict themselves enough or realize they are being hypocritical. It's fun to poke fun.

      Pray all you want. It's meaningless because someone else is praying against you.

      November 22, 2010 at 22:57 | Report abuse |
  31. Briansucks

    Brian, shut the efff up. You lost, people are actually making decisions using common sense now and not religion. No worries, you always have the middle east to go to if you really wanna live under religious rule so badly.

    November 22, 2010 at 22:37 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      I'm an agnostic you retard. And not a thing I have said has been disproven

      November 22, 2010 at 22:40 | Report abuse |
    • Isaac

      "What can be asserted without proof can be dismissed without proof"..... thre is no need to try and disprove your obvious agenda driven argument.... ESC's HAVE NOT.... I say again.... HAVE..... NOT.... had the funding and testing that adult stem cells have had yet you continue to say "oh we've had them for 40 years and they haven't done anything"...... why try to disprove that when its obviously not true?

      November 23, 2010 at 08:18 | Report abuse |
  32. allforit

    I had my daughter at one of the TOP stem cell research affiliated hospitals in the country- UW Madison/ Merriter; when I requested to donate the cord blood for research our Dr's said we could NOT because of Bush's stop on all of the research. My friend miscarried at 10 weeks and was told the same about donating her fetus, by CHOICE. She wanted to contribute as did I but government stopped us both, it is sad because now if any of our children suffer from something that the cord blood or embryonic cells could have found a cure for, nothing could be found. Our only option was to bank the cord blood for our own private use, but we wanted to further the research.

    November 22, 2010 at 22:39 | Report abuse | Reply
  33. Observer

    C'mon people. Grow up. This should be a site for adult comments and not childish name-calling. Try to act like grown-ups.

    November 22, 2010 at 22:41 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      Thank you, this is the danger of trying to talk about science while watching a Monday Night Football Game

      November 22, 2010 at 22:43 | Report abuse |
  34. Briansucks

    "If science wants to truly accelerate and become more popular among the general public, they should acknowledge religion as a possibility in finding out new information about the world"-Brian

    without a doubt, the dumbest thing ive ever read on CNN articles. This might could even rival some comments on Fox ;)

    November 22, 2010 at 22:43 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      would you like to take something else out of context please? Why don't you grow up and try creating an argument

      November 22, 2010 at 22:45 | Report abuse |
  35. Observer

    From NPR:
    Critics of embryonic stem-cell research say those cells have never cured anyone. Is that true?

    True, but pointless.

    Transplanting a kidney never cured anybody until someone had the idea of trying it, and then worked out the regimen that would prevent a transplanted kidney from being rejected by its grateful recipient. The proper way to phrase the statement is "embryonic stem cells haven't cured anybody yet."

    November 22, 2010 at 22:48 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      But Adult Stem Cells have! And they continue to be more productive!

      November 22, 2010 at 22:50 | Report abuse |
    • jheron

      And that is only because Adult Stem cells have been easier to aquire to work with.

      November 22, 2010 at 23:05 | Report abuse |
  36. huynhbc

    Wow!!! Great to see ESCs have equal chance to let science progress – If science obstructed it will never have a chance to have a grip to progress to improve lives . It had been given a very limited cell lines which all contaminated with animal cells and it's not very productive project to begin with . I read about ACT a bit and I found this ACT company has a process called ACTcerate that they've been leasing their license rights to other companies and this process is purifying cells and do not form tumors like other company ; And they have their method to attract a single cell as medical society has been doing for long long time in genetic prognoses as non-destruct embryos . Although ESCs is more robust , they can be live much longer and could be differtiated into over 200 or all the body cell typed compare ASC they have tendency to die earlier .
    as ESCs , ASCs or Skin Cells I think they should have equal opportunity in different approaches to search for the best results for later years.... Initiate a competion among research the science will progress drastically .IMHO .

    November 22, 2010 at 22:53 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Brian

      But adult stem cells are better! You cannot disprove my point!

      November 22, 2010 at 23:02 | Report abuse |
    • Brian

      HAHAHA! This is rich, some troll has taken my name and is not going to try and make me look bad. I guess it's time for me to go. It was a nice debate with everyone tonight, and don't believe for a second that this idiot is actually me. I'm much smarter. Have a nice night

      November 22, 2010 at 23:05 | Report abuse |
    • Isaac

      lol... yeah you're so much smarter.... just saying the same thing over and over again while giving no evidence to support it is genius!!.... no need to try and disprove a point that can't be proven in the first place

      November 23, 2010 at 08:22 | Report abuse |
    • Trainwreck13

      Brian...anyone here can disprove your point and only reading up minimally on the subject can make anyone here realize how much of a fool you really are. 1. adult stem cells are difficult to get and too find, and 2. the problem with embryotic stem cells in only in the name...they are not being taken from aborted fetus they are being created in a lab, no conception, no implanting of the egg, no cell differentiation, NO LIFE.

      November 23, 2010 at 11:44 | Report abuse |
  37. Izzy Roush

    They are trying to grow a brain for Sarah Palin

    November 22, 2010 at 23:35 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Isaac

      LOL... she could sure use one!!

      November 23, 2010 at 08:21 | Report abuse |
    • Trainwreck13

      wow now that is something I would not ever like to see happen, where is legislation when you need it?

      November 23, 2010 at 11:46 | Report abuse |
  38. chapalody

    Having approval from the FDA doesn't improve the research that still hasn't prove to work. Giving false hope while testing unproven results is reckless and is just trying to win pubic support and funding for the science thats not there. We can't test on animals anymore, but it's OK to test on human guinea pigs. It's irresponsible of the FDA to give approval and any doctor experimenting should be prevented for practicing medicine ever again.

    November 22, 2010 at 23:41 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Observer

      "It's irresponsible of the FDA to give approval and any doctor experimenting should be prevented for practicing medicine ever again."

      Obviously, ACT has wasted a fortune when all they had to do was ask a BLOGGER. Now, how about explaining why doctor's should lose their jobs.

      November 22, 2010 at 23:49 | Report abuse |
    • LittleMac

      That's a great point 'chapalody'. And all the FDA funded research for curing cancer and AIDS hasn't proven to work either. So I guess all those doctors should be banned from practicing also. Think of all the money we'll save! I think you just found the solution to the national debt. Let's stop all funding for research that hasn't worked yet! Great idea!

      November 23, 2010 at 02:27 | Report abuse |
    • huynhbc

      FYI : This company has data set for FDA that they had tested on animal model with 100% restored their sight and no tumor formed ; – It took a full year to get FDA approval after they file their IND for a fast track trial of this Stargardt's – You can find it on the company website – I don't have thier website off hand but to google it I'm sure you'll find it . Regards.

      November 24, 2010 at 16:33 | Report abuse |
  39. Jerry

    Fertility clinic uses a couples' harvested sperm and ova to create embryos for implantation, successfully implants some, couple has children, want no more. Should excess embryos remain frozen forever, (are the 'thumpers gonna pay for THAT!?!), be discarded, (FLUSH!), or be harvested for stem cells that could potentially have enormous benefit to Mankind, (curing all those diseases, conditions, and syndromes Humans suffer from that prove our Designer really wasn't all that Intelligent in the first place)?

    This guy's dead but he's an organ donor; heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, corneas, all go to help someone who's sick to get better. A small collection of stem cells (an unwanted embryo) is gonna be destroyed but, wait – those cells could be used to help sick people get better. It's all just recycling, and that's a good thing.

    GREEN POWER, BABY!!!

    November 23, 2010 at 00:14 | Report abuse | Reply
  40. RB from Seattle

    It's sad people have to drag religion and politics into this. Grow up. I am a Republican who backs stem cell research. Anyone who swallow their party line doesn't deserve to vote. Study the issues. Vote responsibly.

    November 23, 2010 at 00:50 | Report abuse | Reply
  41. Earl Fey

    The claim that no one knows what can be cured with ESR should be restated to say "no one knows what can't be cure"

    November 23, 2010 at 01:38 | Report abuse | Reply
  42. LONG LIVE ACTC

    I AGREE RB.!! Also a republican / Libertarian that 100% supports stem cell research. I have also invested in ACTC.OB because I believe it will help mankind.

    November 23, 2010 at 02:20 | Report abuse | Reply
  43. kds562

    Science is our only hope to save mankind.

    November 23, 2010 at 07:41 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Isaac

      You got that right.... it's done more in the past 100 years then religion did in thousands.... religion always has been and always will be the #1 obstacle to human progress

      November 23, 2010 at 08:24 | Report abuse |
  44. Isaac

    or not knowing what you're talking about in the first place like saying the world has been testing ESC's for 40 years and nothing has come except tumors..... agenda much?

    November 23, 2010 at 08:20 | Report abuse | Reply
  45. Thurston Murray

    I am a devout christian. When it comes to stem cell research, I find no conflict between that research and religion. You know floks if God did not want us to proceed foreward in helping releive the suffering of pain and disease, he would not allow us to do so. All good and perfect gifts in life are sanctiioned and approved to allow to happen by God. As to the question of human rights, I don't believe that God wants us to throw promising research down the drain. Yes, I am Pro-Life, when there is life to bring into the world. Sincerely, Thurston

    November 23, 2010 at 09:23 | Report abuse | Reply
  46. Hopeful

    I am 23 years old and was diagnosed with Stargardts disease 3 years ago. I am now legally blind and if stem cells are what they have to use to cure this disease or even get it back to near normal then so be it. I agree that if God did not want this to happen he would not allow us to do it. It was the best news in the world when I read this. So I am hopeful.

    November 23, 2010 at 09:55 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Donna

      I really hope they find a cure for your condition. However, according to your logic, must God be okay with all of the suffering, murders, etc in this world or else "he" would not allow it to happen?

      November 23, 2010 at 12:02 | Report abuse |
  47. To Brian, and all those like him

    There are SO many things wrong with your lack of research, knowledge of the subject, and well, logic, but I will simply address one point that perhaps even your skewed perspective can handle.
    Could you imagine where we would be if scientists just decided to "give up" because of repeatedly failing experiments? Many of us would likely not be here. Luckily, the competent and innovative ones realize that just because they have not yet yielded results, doesn't mean they won't. Just because a woman struggling to get pregnant has failed to conceive for X-years does NOT mean she has run out of options, nor does it mean that she won't eventually succeed. But according to your logic, she should just give up. After all, it's been X-years. Cancer patients with repeated relapses?
    Meh, let's just give up. It's taking too long to get results and we're impatient damnit!

    Even though I am inclined to think that you will not attempt to understand the issues involved in embryonic stem cell research, I choose to stick to my own argument and apply it to you, Brian. I will give you the benefit of the doubt and hope that maybe you will take this as a token of advice. Just because you are clearly failing in your lack of research, it doesn't mean you always will. Who knows, maybe you will even go do some actual reading instead of surfing the net for big bolded key words and big scary statistics to rattle off again and again (and again...on every post..)

    But then again, you have failed to do so repeatedly. So you probably won't. Just stop now, eh? After all, that's simply what YOUR logic would dictate.

    November 23, 2010 at 10:30 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Donna

      Looks like he already did.

      November 23, 2010 at 12:04 | Report abuse |
  48. JC-VA

    I am a Christian and I don't see anything wrong with this research, now, I really hope something good comes out of this and no side effects...

    November 23, 2010 at 11:15 | Report abuse | Reply
  49. Pete

    If the RPE cells grow in the patient in this trial and the patient's eyesight is restored, I wonder if the Stargardt Macular Dystrophy will just kill those RPE cells in a matter of years too. Hopefully not.

    November 23, 2010 at 11:55 | Report abuse | Reply
    • Donna

      Perhaps the treatment could be done every few years then?

      November 23, 2010 at 12:05 | Report abuse |
  50. Mr Manny

    Funny how the religious nuts highly opposed any stem cell research, but once there is a cure for a diseases that they know someone has they will applaud it 100% and say there invisible god made it for us to discover it! Science is a way for you to live longer, not your man written book!

    November 23, 2010 at 11:58 | Report abuse | Reply
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