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A stem cell injection bound to create a stir is about to take place. For the first time ever the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (the United States government agency regulating scientific research) has authorized a company to transfer embryonic stem cells to patients paralyzed by spinal trauma. It will be the first procedure of its kind after newly inaugurated President Barack Obama promised to remove limits on financing for embryonic stem cell research imposed by George Bush in 2001.
The details of the initiative are beginning to take form, explained Thomas Okarma, President and CEO of Geron Corporation, the biotechnology company that was given the go ahead by the FDA, speaking in a CNN interview, explaining that volunteer testing will already begin this summer. Eight or ten patients with recent damage to their spinal cord and completely paralyzed from their third to tenth vertebra will be injected with embryonic stem cells. Using totipotent cells manipulated in the lab, researchers have developed cells called oligodendrocytes which play an important role in nerve transmission and are able to rebuild myelin, a protective sheath that covers nerves.
“This is the first clinical experiment with a human embryo based product” said Okarma, adding that the main goal of the test will be to verify the safety of the substances used in the procedure, but scientists will also be responsible for monitoring the patients for a year noting improvements to the patient’s compromised motor functions.
Underlying this story, though, is the risk of a bioethical controversy. The tests will use cryogenically preserved embryos which underwent artificial fertilization in fertility clinics, but were then abandoned by couples. The stem cells are taken from embryos, which are consequently destroyed. For this reason, after a bitter debate, research came to a halt in 2001 when George Bush limited financing to ongoing embryonic stem cell studies, opposing the manipulation of new stem cell cultures. Obama is ready to modify these restrictions with Congress’ support, opening up a new controversy with anti-abortionists.
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