Researchers to Unite at Texas State Capitol
Leading Researchers to Unite at Texas State Capitol for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Prominent stem cell scientists, physicians, and advocates from leading medical facilities and research institutions across Texas and California will highlight the 3rd Annual Stem Cell Research Symposium: Spotlight on Texas, on October 19, 2012, at the Texas State Capitol. The free, public symposium , produced and co-hosted by the Austin-based nonprofit Texas Cures Education Foundation (Texas Cures), is designed to educate the public about the exciting stem cell research and clinical trials currently under way in Texas. The event will also include a discussion of recent Texas laws affecting stem cell research, the potential economic impact of stem cell research and highlight…
Liveblog: HHS at The Texas Tribune Festival
The Texas Tribune Festival‘s Health & Human Services track, which includes panels on the Affordable Care Act, family planning, stem cell policy and the upcoming legislative session. Featured speakers include Attorney General Greg Abbott; Kyle Janek, the commissioner of health and human services; Tom Suehs, the former commissioner of health and human services; and Joe Pojman, executive director of the Texas Alliance for Life. Missed the Event? Read the highlights here.. Be sure to scroll down to 2:50 PM… Is Texas’ Stem Cell Policy Good For Texas, with Leigh Turner from the University of Minnesota, State Rep. Rick Hardcastle, Andrea Ferrenz, executive vice president of CellTex,and David Bales, chairman of Texans for Stem Cell Research. Recommend on FacebookTell a friend
Coalition Applauds Federal Circuit Court Decision
Stem Cell Action Coalition Applauds Federal Circuit Court Decision in the Sherley v. Sebelius Case The following statement may be attributed to Bernard Siegel, J.D., spokesperson for the Stem Cell Action Coalition and executive director of the Genetics Policy Institute (GPI): “The Stem Cell Action Coalition, comprising 75 nonprofit organizations, applauds today’s Circuit Court ruling in the case of Sherley v. Sebelius. This ruling in favor of the government allows NIH funding for embryonic stem cell research to continue.” “Human embryonic stem cell research has been described by scientists as the “gold standard” for those seeking to develop cures based on stem cell technology for many diseases and maladies such as Parkinson’s, ALS, diabetes, MS,…
Tissue or a Drug?
Former FDA Official Slams Regulation of Stem Cells as Exceeding Agency Authority Should the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have the authority to regulate cells derived from—and later put back into—a person? A recent opinion-editorial published in The Wall Street Journal by former FDA Associate Commissioner Scott Gottlieb and Coleen Klasmeier, head of FDA practice at the law firm Sidley Austin LLP, argues FDA’s efforts to increase regulatory enforcement against stem cell manufacturers has the potential to backfire against the nascent and potentially promising industry. At issue, write Gottlieb and Klasmeier—both of whom have an admitted financial interest in stem cell therapies—is a recent court case decided in favor of FDA by the US…
Round One? FDA to crack down on stem cell clinics
It’s official: stem cells are drugs. At least, that’s the opinion of the US district court in Washington DC, which has ruled that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the authority to regulate clinics offering controversial stem cell therapies. Treatments in which stem cells are harvested from bone marrow and injected straight back into the same patient are deemed part of routine medical practice – not regulated by the US government. But if the cells are subjected to more than “minimal manipulation”, the FDA maintains that the therapy becomes a “drug”, which must be specifically approved for use. It was on this basis that in 2008 the FDA began moves to shut down Regenerative Sciences,…
Texas Advocate Community Unites for Cures
Some of the country’s leading practitioners will discuss the cutting-edge treatments and imaging techniques being developed to treat traumatic brain injury and stroke at a symposium on May 4th in Austin. “Collaborating for Cures: Emerging Translational Research in the Stroke and TBI Care Continuum” will feature presentations on neuroplasticity, stem cell policy and regulatory issues, neuroimaging techniques and analysis, as well as provide a forum for leading scientists in the field to share ideas and discuss potential collaborations. “Austin and Central Texas is emerging as a thought center in the neurosciences. This symposium highlighting the work of Dr. Valadka and Warach illuminates that exciting development,” stated Tom Caven, M.D., Vice-President, Medical Affairs, University Medical Center…
“Friend of the Court” Brief Filed Supporting Funding
This week the Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) joined the Coalition for Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR) in filing an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, supporting federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. GPI previously filed amicus briefs in the United States District Court and in the Court of Appeals, the latter in collaboration with CAMR and the State of Wisconsin. Both earlier briefs focused on the preliminary injunction in the case. Bernard Siegel, GPI’s executive director, stated, “Our brief supports the District Court’s ruling on behalf of the government upholding federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. We…
Reality check for stem cell research?
Hard cell Heart-disease patients. The paralyzed. Families of people struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. So many had hoped cures were just around the corner. But three years after the Obama administration’s easing of restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research, advocates for this young field are facing a reality check: Rather than seeing an avalanche of breakthroughs for all that ails mankind, patients find themselves waiting in the wings for a science that is in some ways still theoretical and often prohibitively expensive. Among the many challenges that drive up the cost of human embryonic stem-cell research is the fact that the FDA puts up tremendous hurdles for anyone entering into the pioneering science. Drug companies and venture capitalists are…
Texas Medical Board Moves to Regulate Adult Stem Cell Use
AUSTIN – The Texas Medical Board Friday approved a tentative policy regulating the use of adult stem cells, the experimental therapy Gov. Rick Perry drew criticism for undergoing for his ailing back last year. “This policy will afford the public protection that doesn’t exist now for products not approved by the Food and Drug Administration,” said Dr. Irwin Zeitler, president of the board. “At the same time, it doesn’t hinder progress. Hundreds of studies have shown the promise of adult stem cells.” Under a policy that will come up for final approval April 13, Texas doctors would be authorized to provide stem cell therapy only if an independent review committee that assesses research trials for patient safety grants permission. The…
Is Stem-Cell Research Keeping Charities On The Sidelines?
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation has been in the news because of its clash with Planned Parenthood Federation of America. But another aspect of Komen’s activities hasn’t received much attention: Komen’s position on research using human embryonic stem cells. Despite raising millions of dollars for breast cancer research, Komen hasn’t funded any of this work, prompting questions about whether that decision is rooted in politics. “We find this disappointing and really fairly ironic for a group that is ‘for the cure’ to walk away from research that many scientists think could unlock cures for diseases, including cancer,” said Sean Tipton of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, which lobbies for…
The Cell Society to meet in San Diego
The Cell Society is holding their 2nd Annual Meeting in San Diego February 17th and 18th. Cell Society’s Annual Clinical Meeting will continue in the tradition established at the 1stAnnual Meeting and will offer a unique opportunity for multidisciplinary, international clinical collaboration designed to enhance understanding and thought provoking insight into treatments and cures for disease and agonizing medical conditions. This year’s clinical focus will center on therapies particularly relevant to cardiology, neurology, orthopedic and plastic surgery. A full 73% of their 2012 conference program will be dedicated to evidence-based, accredited clinical discussion. The remainder will feature industry updates and relevant regulatory discourse and debate. The Cell Society firmly believes that cell therapies can enhance current…
Developing community support for stem cell research
Qatar turns spotlight on religious options for stem cell science Manama: The latest in stem cell research, its applications for developing new therapeutic approaches for a variety of diseases and policy options available within cultural, ethical, and religious parameters will be the focus of a conference in Qatar next month. The Qatar International Conference on Stem Cell Science and Policy, organized by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) and the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, will bring together scientists and experts from international and regional research and medical institutions and ethicists and policymakers. Stem cell science offers a large number of potential applications, including the prevention, diagnosis and treatment…
Government & Philanthropic Paradigms for Research
Robert Klein, former chair of the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), presented this year’s advocacy keynote, addressing the looming black cloud over funding for stem cell research in the US. Klein explained that in a financial downturn, creating long term, big picture investments for donors is absolutely necessary to bring to new treatment modalities to market. He called for scientists to become advocates and stressed that broad public understanding of stem cell science is also critical to the future of regenerative medicine. Watch Robert Klein, JD’s 2011 World Stem Cell Summit Presentation: “Government & Philanthropic Paradigms for Research” Recommend on FacebookTell a friend
Public, Political Parties & Stem-Cell Research
Until recently, it seemed as if the question of future federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research had been settled. The Obama administration had lifted President George W. Bush’s previous restrictions on funding, and the legality of that decision was upheld by federal courts. But the 2012 presidential election campaign has once again raised uncertainty about such funding. Most of the Republican candidates have taken positions suggesting that, if elected, they would substantially reduce future federal funding for stem-cell research. In a polling review project supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, we prepared for the reemergence of this debate by examining overall public opinion on federal funding of stem-cell research, as well as the views of…
Stem cell research in Texas
Emerging stem cell treatments have been heralded as revolutionary for medicine and biotechnology, but more research still needs to be done to utilize these cells for therapies. Many barriers still stand in the way of these studies: discussions over ethical issues surrounding the use of human embryonic stem cells; policy issues regarding science funding and regulation; and economic pressures. These factors affect federal and state policy on stem cell research. In a recently published report, the International Stem Cell Policy Program, part of the Baker Institute Science and Technology Program, examines the current economic and political conditions that would affect stem cell policy in Texas. Kirstin Matthews, the institute’s fellow in science and technology policy,…
Baker Institute Report to Legislature
Report summarizes status of stem cell research, funding and political policies in Texas Baker Institute International Stem Cell Policy Program issues report to Texas legislature, governor A report issued today by the Baker Institute International Stem Cell Policy Program at Rice University gives a comprehensive overview of the status of stem cell biology, government policies and economic data in the state of Texas. The report, titled “Stem Cells and Biomedical Research in Texas,” was led by Baker Institute Science and Technology Policy Fellow Kirstin Matthews and was delivered to all state legislators and Gov. Rick Perry. “The goal of this report is to provide state leaders, policymakers and the public with a look at where…
