French embryonic stem cell research proceeding

The Scientist reports today that the French government has specified conditions for embryonic stem cell research in France. During a five year trial period, researchers can now use embryos from IVF treatment isntead of having to import their stem cells. Project proposals must still be submitted to a government agency, and only a limited number of them will be approved.

Academic News

Academic News

Stanford University has issued a press release, available on Genetic Engineering News, about the consequences the delay in Prop. 71 funding is causing for some researchers. The press release describes two researchers who have developed two new embryonic stem cells lines but are facing funding-related problems: the lab where the lines were developed was built with a limited amount of non-federal funding and does not have the equipment that is needed. On the other hand, another campus lab with the proper equipment purchased the equipment with federal dollars, so it can’t be used to do the research. The researchers can’t afford to buy equipment or send the cells out to a private lab. (The stem cell lines were created with left-over IVF embryos that would otherwise have been discarded.) So they can’t do research, and they can’t publish their results.

The trial on the prop 71 lawsuit begins next week. (And on an unrelated note, what must jury selection be like? How can you not have a stake in the outcome if you’re a California taxpayer?)

Moving further south, the University of Southern California is receiving a large grant from private citizens for a 215,000 square foot facility for stem cell research. The AP story is reported on local television station KESQ; there are no significant further details.

So here we have it. Embryonic stem cell research, which is important for understanding the biology of cell development, can only happen with private money. The limitations of this are obvious. In just one important instance, the ability for collaboration is greatly reduced. This concentrates the research into the hands of those who have obtained the private funding. Concentrating research like that limits the potential for innovation that is greater in a larger group, increases potential for pressure-based errors (whether technical or ethical), and ties scientific decisions to dollars more tightly than they would be in a wider research arena. Limited funding means limited debate.

Meniscus and adult stem cell trials

Meniscus and adult stem cell trials

The IndyChannel in Indianapolis has posted a short article about a local doctor seeking patients for trials involving adult stem cells in people with knee injury (torn or damaged meniscus). The trial is being run by Osiris Therapeutics, and the website about the trial says patients who undergo a partial meniscectomy—the removal of torn meniscus—may be eligible to receive an injection of either adult stem cells or a placebo one week after the surgery. The stem cells are adult mesenchymal stem cells from volunteer donors.

The meniscus is the soft tissue cushioning the joint between the shinbone and the thigh bone.

Cartilage regeneration is an important area of stem cell research, so it will be interesting to see what the results of these trials are.