StemCell Therapy

“If we went 10 years and had no
clinical treatments, it would be a failure. We need to demonstrate
that we are starting a whole new medical revolution.”

“The opportunity to run trails under
the well-funded CIRM could be a boon for CROs (contract research
organizations)....But the difficulties of handling the stem cells and
gathering enough patients to enroll in a trial may prove daunting for whatever
company tries to conduct the trials.”

 “No one has reached out to us yet
because the specific details of what we are looking for in the
clinics have not yet been decided.”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/g-INer3wY50/skimpy-coverage-of-alpha-clinic-concept.html

“Should activist groups, working
through legislators, exercise their control over women’s
reproduction? Do we really 'own' our own bodies? Or does that tenet
only hold when nanny groups say it’s okay?”

“Well, if (when?) AB 926 is signed, I
think our committee should meet to consider what recommendations we
would make to the (the department) as a result of the bill.  Those
recommendations could lead, if the committee and the department
agree, to a revision of the state guidelines.  As a matter of
law, a statute, particularly a subsequent statute, trumps a guideline
where they are in conflict, but basically I expect we'll see what the
committee thinks and what the department decides.  I don't wish
to guess at the results of either process.”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/sZ_beYvQCX8/pay-for-eggs-legislation-now-before.html

“Dr. Diane Tober and Prof. Nancy
Scheper-Hughes  are 'pro choice'  social scientists who are
concerned about the absence of any evidence-based medicine on the
long term effects of hyper-stimulation for oocyte (egg) production in
young women research subjects. We are not concerned about abortion,
right to life, or obstructing  needed and valuable research on
stem cells. We are concerned about the safety for potential research
subjects who are being actively recruited to participate in
 invasive medical procedures without any medical research
studies on the possible risks and consequences of egg multiplication
and extraction. We are on record that we  fully support stem
cell research but not at the expense of unprotected egg donors.”  

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/CdOjDrBctTE/comment-re-pay-for-eggs-item-and-forbes.html

“Diane and Nancy, I'm shocked that
you are either unaware or do not acknowledge that there are studies
of oocyte retrieval surgeries that show very persuasively that the
potential harm from this procedure is manageable. While you refer to 'stories' of women being harmed--that's called anecdotal
evidence and is the antithesis of science--you ignore the established
research in this area, which makes it clear that you are reacting
hysterically rather than responding to empirical evidence. I would
suggest that you read the National Academies Press workshop report:
Assessing the Medical Risks of Human Oocyte Donation for Stem Cell
Research (http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11832).
It cites numerous studies, including a German study that examined the
outcome of approximately 380,000 oocyte retrieval surgeries during
2000-2004. For the procedures for which there was information, the
rate of complications was very low: only 0.002 percent—2 in every
100,000—had complications that required surgery to correct.

“Studies have also examined the
potential risks of retrieval for a woman's future fertility.
“According to one large study, the
rate of infection after oocyte retrieval was about 1 in every 200 IVF
cycles, and surgery is needed to treat pelvic abscesses in less than
1 in 1,000 IVF cycles. 

“About five hundred egg donations
take place in Canada each year, according to the Canadian Fertility
and Andrology Society.The CFAS told me that, between 2001 and 2010,
only two donors in Canada, out of a total of 4,177 donations,
suffered from “severe” OHSS, which usually involves
hospitalization. Fourteen others had “moderate” OHSS. These
numbers are collected in a database called the Canadian Assisted
Reproductive Technologies Registry.

“So sure, you can find your 'stories' but they do not represent a scientific review of the available
data--you are trying to legislate based on fear. That's not science;
that's the dark ages, and it's exactly the tactics used by
anti-abortionists (and indeed by organizations like the Center for
Genetics and Society which opposes such beneficial advances as
mitochondrial replacement surgery).

“Furthermore, because women have a
set of two ovaries and two fallopian tubes, they can remain fertile
even if one set is damaged, and there is no evidence that both might
be threatened simultaneously by the side effects of retrieval
surgery. 

“Today doctors have had two decades
of experience with the use of hormone treatments to maximize the
number of eggs that can be harvested from a woman, and they have
become quite proficient in the production of oocytes. During that
time they have also worked to improve the safety of the procedure and
decrease the potential risks. Despite these improvements some risk
will remain, because hormones have a powerful effect on the body—they
could not increase egg production so dramatically if this were not
true—and anything with a powerful effect on the body has the
potential for harmful side effects as well. 

“Egg donations are done for a reason.
There are risks and benefits. For you to exaggerate the risks based
on 'stories' and ignore the evidence is unconscionable.
It's exactly what anti-abortion groups do and what opponents of
genetically modified foods do--you promote fear around manageable (or
in the case of GMOs, negligible) risk. 

“Your call for 'further studies' is the age old technique of reactionaries trying to control other
people and impose their values on other people. You know darned well,
because of your fundamental ideological opposition to this procedure,
no study results could ever meet your standard of acceptability. 

“You are trying to control other
women's bodies, claiming you have superior knowledge and
wisdom--those are pro-life talking points. Your views, and that of
the organizations that you represent, are illiberal.”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/ib44Z4ZI-j0/pay-for-eggs-legislation-comment-on-risk.html

The California stem cell agency is located south of Market Street in San  Francisco, close to the San Francisco Giants ballpark(upper right).  Since  the agency has been there, the area has grown from seedy to gentrified.

“I met with the mayor of San
Francisco(Ed Lee), who's a dear friend, and he encouraged us to be
aware that he's very committed to helping us find some space in San
Francisco. Whether it means tax credits or incentives to a potential
landlord, we still have to work that out. Obviously we still have to
work out what the space will be. But the fact that the mayor has
indicated very explicitly that he wants to keep us in San Francisco,
I think it will bode well for us down the road.

“The current owner of the property
(Stockbridge Capital Partners) has not been happy that for ten years
they've had to supply free rent to us. And what they didn't
anticipate was having to provide for over $755,000 in operating
costs, which they thought some donors would take are of. Those donors
-- some of whom passed away and others who chose to give money to
other institutions, UC San Francisco, in particular, to the stem cell
lab, which was very much appreciated, I know, by UCSF – but at
the end of the day, there's no room for negotiations with this
current owner.”

“I would not work on that assumption.
I would work on the assumption somewhere between a dollar and more,
again, dependent upon what kind of tax incentives the City of San
Francisco would provide. We're very fortunate that my son(Joaquin
Torres) is the deputy mayor for economic development, so we also have
him working on this as well.”

“I'll ask more questions offline.”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/v8usDDMWucE/california-stem-cell-agency-looking-for.html

Part 2 Stem Cell Therapy

By: Tiffany Vinson

Follow this link:
Part 2 Stem Cell Therapy - Video

Mac Stem Cell Therapy 2012
Before and After Mac #39;s Stem Cell Therapy. Surgery done by Dr. Mark McCloskey, DVM, Columbus, OH.

By: Mary Hammond

Read the rest here:
Mac Stem Cell Therapy 2012 - Video

“Were certainly moving in the
right direction. We're now looking at the recovery phase.”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/nmnYkisG6MU/california-stem-cell-official-duane.html

“A number of California institutions
have not yet been able to secure a confirmed Research Leadership
award but would benefit greatly from the recruitment of emerging or
established leaders in stem cell biology. Participation in the CIRM
program could bring additional, exceptional researchers to
California, strengthen and synergize with other efforts to build up
local sustained research communities in stem cell biology and
medicine and provide ongoing leadership at the cutting edge of
California regenerative medicine.”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/iJ66PTxTsX8/another-23-million-to-recruit-star-stem.html

The California stem cell agency today approved
a $70 million plan to create a network of “Alpha” stem cell
clinics that is aimed at making the Golden State one of the leading
purveyors and developers of stem cell therapies in the world.

“These clinics have the potential to
revolutionize how we deliver stem cell therapies to patients. Stem
cell therapies are a completely new way of treating diseases and
disorders so we need a completely new way of delivering those in a
safe and effective manner. These clinics will help us do just that
and the clinical trials carried out in this network will fulfill the
agency’s promise of bringing new therapies to patients who need
them.” 

“Another boondoggle for some medical
schools but made to order for private operators like for-profit
cancer, dialysis, and laser eye specialty clinics that do one
procedure.  I can see each of the medical schools gifted with
one as they each were gifted with about 25 million dollars for stem
cell institute buildings.”

“The NIH at various times has tried
to organize clinical trials groups with infrastructure, like quick
reaction forces, ready to gear up for a new trial at the drop of a
hat. They mainly did nothing but suck money, kept staff employed,
because there are generally few drugs ready for early human trials
and each treatment that is brought along requires a unique contract,
ethics reviews, and different facilities, equipment and staff than
planned for.  The latest incarnation are CTSAs or CTSIs,
clinical and translational science centers funded by the federal NIH
that most if not all California medical schools already have.”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/EBbBzLL9dQQ/california-stem-cell-launches-70.html

“It was felt that more discussion
was needed before moving to a vote so another meeting is going to be
scheduled.”

“...will decide whether to approve a
grantee’s request to use a stem cell line created with paid-for
eggs on the basis of whether doing so 'will advance CIRM’s
mission.' This criterion is much too vague, and doesn’t include
consideration of the health or welfare of the women who undergo egg
retrieval. Protecting the well-being of women providing eggs is not
even mentioned (though perhaps it could be considered as an element
of the fifth of five 'factors to be considered by the ICOC(the agency
board),' 'whether the donation…was consistent with `best practices’
at the time of donation').”

The standards group also heard from a
UCLA researcher who argued on behalf of the change. Kathrin Plath
said she and her colleagues wanted to use a paid-for stem cell line
from the Oregon experiment that cloned human stem cells.

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/QECOGHuAvIc/stem-cell-lines-and-paid-for-eggs-stem.html

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/Vi8IGlL2TzY/coming-up-live-coverage-of-todays.html

“Clinics to conduct trials of stem
cell therapies have different needs than clinics designed to deliver
conventional therapies, DeWitt and Millan said. They need special
facilities for handling the cells safely, as well as imaging
equipment to track the cells once they're delivered into a patient’s
body.  Some of this infrastructure already exists, but other
parts of it still need to be perfected.  Establishing clinics to
house multiple trials might create the critical mass needed to get
the infrastructure in place, they said....

"Additionally, they said, CIRM
hopes that such collaboration would encourage stem cell companies to
share information -- speeding their own work and also helping out
policymakers and insurers who are trying to figure out how they'll
pay for stem cell therapies in the future.”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/s_-mm4nTU_0/70-million-alpha-stem-cell-clinic.html

“In my lab, we are ... interested in
understanding what happens to the somatically silenced X chromosome
when differentiated cells are reprogrammed by SCNT. The key question
is: are these SCNT-ESCs more similar to iPSCs or
fertilization-derived ESCs with respect to the epigenetic state of
the X chromosome. Furthermore, it has been shown in mouse
reprogramming that the active X chromosome becomes deregulated during
SCNT-based reprogramming, and we would like to address this problem
in the human system as well.

“We believe that the comparison of
the epigenetic states between fertilization-derived ESCs, SCNT-ESCs
and human iPSCs is important for a better characterization of these
cells and understanding of their epigenetic nature.”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/2YTtgbJCtRw/ucla-researcher-calls-for-easing-of.html

“Were certainly moving in the
right direction. We're now looking at the recovery phase.”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/nmnYkisG6MU/california-stem-cell-official-duane.html

The California stem cell agency today approved
a $70 million plan to create a network of “Alpha” stem cell
clinics that is aimed at making the Golden State one of the leading
purveyors and developers of stem cell therapies in the world.

“These clinics have the potential to
revolutionize how we deliver stem cell therapies to patients. Stem
cell therapies are a completely new way of treating diseases and
disorders so we need a completely new way of delivering those in a
safe and effective manner. These clinics will help us do just that
and the clinical trials carried out in this network will fulfill the
agency’s promise of bringing new therapies to patients who need
them.” 

“Another boondoggle for some medical
schools but made to order for private operators like for-profit
cancer, dialysis, and laser eye specialty clinics that do one
procedure.  I can see each of the medical schools gifted with
one as they each were gifted with about 25 million dollars for stem
cell institute buildings.”

“The NIH at various times has tried
to organize clinical trials groups with infrastructure, like quick
reaction forces, ready to gear up for a new trial at the drop of a
hat. They mainly did nothing but suck money, kept staff employed,
because there are generally few drugs ready for early human trials
and each treatment that is brought along requires a unique contract,
ethics reviews, and different facilities, equipment and staff than
planned for.  The latest incarnation are CTSAs or CTSIs,
clinical and translational science centers funded by the federal NIH
that most if not all California medical schools already have.”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/EBbBzLL9dQQ/california-stem-cell-launches-70.html

“A number of California institutions
have not yet been able to secure a confirmed Research Leadership
award but would benefit greatly from the recruitment of emerging or
established leaders in stem cell biology. Participation in the CIRM
program could bring additional, exceptional researchers to
California, strengthen and synergize with other efforts to build up
local sustained research communities in stem cell biology and
medicine and provide ongoing leadership at the cutting edge of
California regenerative medicine.”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/iJ66PTxTsX8/another-23-million-to-recruit-star-stem.html

“It was felt that more discussion
was needed before moving to a vote so another meeting is going to be
scheduled.”

“...will decide whether to approve a
grantee’s request to use a stem cell line created with paid-for
eggs on the basis of whether doing so 'will advance CIRM’s
mission.' This criterion is much too vague, and doesn’t include
consideration of the health or welfare of the women who undergo egg
retrieval. Protecting the well-being of women providing eggs is not
even mentioned (though perhaps it could be considered as an element
of the fifth of five 'factors to be considered by the ICOC(the agency
board),' 'whether the donation…was consistent with `best practices’
at the time of donation').”

The standards group also heard from a
UCLA researcher who argued on behalf of the change. Kathrin Plath
said she and her colleagues wanted to use a paid-for stem cell line
from the Oregon experiment that cloned human stem cells.

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/QECOGHuAvIc/stem-cell-lines-and-paid-for-eggs-stem.html

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/Vi8IGlL2TzY/coming-up-live-coverage-of-todays.html

“Clinics to conduct trials of stem
cell therapies have different needs than clinics designed to deliver
conventional therapies, DeWitt and Millan said. They need special
facilities for handling the cells safely, as well as imaging
equipment to track the cells once they're delivered into a patient’s
body.  Some of this infrastructure already exists, but other
parts of it still need to be perfected.  Establishing clinics to
house multiple trials might create the critical mass needed to get
the infrastructure in place, they said....

"Additionally, they said, CIRM
hopes that such collaboration would encourage stem cell companies to
share information -- speeding their own work and also helping out
policymakers and insurers who are trying to figure out how they'll
pay for stem cell therapies in the future.”

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/s_-mm4nTU_0/70-million-alpha-stem-cell-clinic.html