Research to Watch

Research using human trials of embryonic stem cell treatment cleared, according to Reuters article:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared the way for the first trial to see if human embryonic stem cells can treat people safely, a company involved in the controversial research on Friday.

Geron Corp, a California biotechnology company, said it plans a clinical trial to try to use the stem cells to regrow nerve tissue in patients with crushed, but not severed, spinal cords.

With known complications from existing animal testing using embryonic stem cells causing side effects including teratomas, it would be very interesting to get a peek at the informed consent documents used in this trial.

~ by Bekah on January 23, 2009.