Embryonic Stem Cells against Spinal Cord Injury

In the USA, human trials of embryonic cells have begunBBC
American doctors have begun human trials of a method for treating spinal cord injuries using human embryonic stem cells, which became possible after obtaining permission from regulatory authorities.

The American government's Food and Drug Administration has issued a license to the Geron biotech company allowing the use of such cells for the treatment of people with spinal cord injury.

Potentially, germ stem cells can be transformed into various other types of cells, including nerve cells. The task of the tests, which will be conducted in one of the clinics in Atlanta, is to test the safety of such treatment.

Geron, a Silicon Valley-based company in California, has spent $170 million to develop a technique for treating spinal cord injury using stem cells.

During animal experiments in paralyzed rats, recovery of some motor functions was observed. However, it is not yet clear whether such treatment will help people with spinal injuries.

In the United States, about 12 thousand people are injured annually, associated with spinal cord injury – most often as a result of car accidents, falls, gunshot wounds and sports injuries.

Patients who will participate in the research will be offered a two-week experimental course of treatment.

President of Geron Thomas Okarma in connection with the decision of the American authorities said: "When we started working with human embryonic stem cells in 1999, many predicted that it would take decades before human trials would be allowed."

Nevertheless, it will take many years of painstaking tests to fully clarify whether such therapy is safe.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru12.10.2010