A new stem cells source: Amniocentesis

Posted on 18 May 2013 by Stem Man

The first world bank storing stem cells taken from amniotic fluid is “made in Italy”: it’s a private hospital in Busto Arsizio, near Milan.
Women planning amniocentesis – removal of amniotic fluid from the uterus (test done during pregnancy) – can ask for the “conservation set”, which will be given to the gynaecologist.
3 millilitre of amniotic liquid are enough to find some particular kind of stem cells very close to embryonic stem cells and suitable for in vitro breeding.
Then the test tube will be sent to the company which will store it for 20 years at -320°F. Some “experts” says that those cells are not enough for getting necessary cells for a cure.

SWITZERLAND – Investments in Stem Cell Research

Posted on 10 May 2013 by Stem Man

: Image via Wikipedia

Halfway through February, the National Swiss Fund has established a national plan for stem cell research and regenerative medicine, providing 10 million francs (6,766,000 euros) in financing over 5 years. In November, the Foundation will make a decision on projects that have already been submitted. In January 2010, those which have been approved will get underway. The objective is to favor basic biological stem cell and regenerative medicine research, and to spread awareness internationally.

At the end of 2004 in a referendum, Swiss citizens approved a law that allows the use of excess embryonic stem cells from fertility clinics. Researchers assert that regulations, which are too restrictive, do not provide enough embryos for research. In the political world, liberal Senator Felix Gutzwiller is one of the most highly aware the criticisms made by scientists. He is willing to promote further modifications to legislation and to the Constitution, although it is expected that he will meet stiff opposition from ecologists and religious groups.

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Italy – top court changes strict fertility rules

Posted on 9 May 2013 by Stem Man

: Image by euthman via Flickr

Italy’s Constitutional Court relaxed parts of a law on artificial procreation that had imposed strict rules for fertility treatments.
The judges struck down as unconstitutional one of the most contested sections of the 2004 law, which said only three embryos could be created at one time, and all had to be implanted in the patient’s womb, a court spokesman said.

The judges also introduced stronger wording to ensure that embryos are implanted only if it doesn’t endanger the woman’s health, said spokesman Giovanni Gattarino.
The issue had been put before the constitutional judges by lower administrative and civil courts, which have been considering cases brought against the law by several couples, Gattarino said.

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U.S. Army Gives $700,000 to Stem Cell Therapy Research

Posted on 8 May 2013 by Stem Man

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NeoStem, Inc., an international biopharmaceutical company with operations in the U.S. and China, today announced that it has been awarded a $700,000 contract from the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (USAMRMC-TATRC) under U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity contract number: (W81XWH-10-2-0039).

This contract is for the purpose of evaluating the use of topically applied bone marrow-derived adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for rapid wound healing. The Company previously announced that this funding was included in the Department of Defense FY09 Appropriations Bill and will begin receiving funds to initiate the program in 2010.

“NeoStem is thrilled to have the United States Government’s support to advance our technology and is honored to become part of TATRC’s regenerative medicine portfolio. It is our goal with this important project to leverage adult stem cell technology to help our soldiers avoid amputations and immobilization from injuries that they may sustain while fighting for our country.

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ITALY – Study: Italy furthest behind in the world for stem cell research

Posted on 8 May 2013 by Stem Man

: Image by pablocanateam via Flickr

Research in Italy, in the coming years, will suffer much more compared to research in other countries, because, explained a study on the future of biomedical research in Italy described yesterday in Siena by Stefano Palumbo, “the national debate on bioethical issues will continue to be affected by pre-established ideological positions, and often, will be aimed at imposing limits on scientific research”.

Due to the overwhelming “majority of Catholic members in the National Bioethics Committee, Italy will be,” according to the study, “the most conservative country in the world regarding stem cells,” which will result in great delays in finding treatments for serious diseases like “diabetes, Parkinson’s, cancer, Huntington’s, and Alzheimer’s”.

Between 2009 and 2015, Italian research will be affected by the economic crisis, and, according to the study, which was financed by the MPS Foundation and Siena Biotech, “will also be affected by the crisis in the pharmaceutical sector, resulting from the expiration of patents and the inability to replace products whose patents have expired with new products”. According to the experts, Italian research groups will be increasingly dependent on international financing.

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