U.S. Approves Stem Cell Use for Spinal Injuries

After spending over $100 Million on human embryonic stem cell research since 1992, Geron Corp. is now poised to become the first laboratory in the United States to test those stem cells on people with spinal injuries. The treatments are purely experimental in humans and these tests are designed to help establish safe procedures as well as determining whether the stem cells can help promote healing in the patients.

It is somewhat coincidental that this approval comes down in the first days of the new Obama administration. These types of cells were actually approved for use under the Bush administration, as well as avenues to receive federal funding for their use. But Geron is moving forward without any federal funding and hopes to implement their procedures in eight to ten qualified patients over the coming months.

In animal testing, these types of stem cells have been shown to grow nerve insulation and produce substances that nerves need to heal and grow naturally. Geron is hoping that the same is true in humans and that these steps will eventually lead to some regaining of feeling and movement in spinal cord patients. The ultimate hope is that nerves will recover to the extent that physical therapy may be able to restore some function and movement for people who have suffered catastrophic spinal injuries.

This is the very beginning of a process that holds great hope for anyone afflicted with spinal injuries. Additional studies are being planned to attempt to treat patients with diabetes, using embryonic stem cells.