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FDA OKs First Human Trial of Neural Stem Cell Therapy
An anonymous reader sends word that the FDA has approved a phase 1 trial for Neuralstem, a company with a patented stem cell procedure targeting ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and other spinal conditions. The company's CEO said in a press release, "While this trial aims to primarily establish safety and feasibility data in treating ALS patients, we also hope to be able to measure a slowing down of the ALS degenerative process." Results are expected in 2 years. The trial will involve 12 ALS patients who will receive stem cell injections in the lumbar area of the spinal cord. An information site for the disabled community adds hopefully: "If it makes it through all stages of testing, we will see if doctors are willing to [use] it on subjects that have injuries coming from physical injuries like diving accidents."
Well see, we have this massive bureaucracy in the USA called the "Food and Drug Administration", whose job it is to kill people by impeding medical research.
-jcr
The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
Wonder how much the treatment will cost? How many kids don't get to eat at school so that someone gets this treatment.
This website estimates 700 billion dollars in direct costs, if we figure a school lunch costs somewhere in the neighborhood of 7 dollars (have no idea what the actual average cost would be,) that's about 100 billion lunches I guess. Somewhere in there.
Oh wait a minute, you said treatment, as in the spinal cord repair. I thought for a minute you were talking about the Iraq war, Mr. Center-right conservative. Sorry, my bad.
I have no idea how much the treatment will cost. Pocket change to us, but as I always say, a tax dollar spent on something besides bombing someone is a terrible waste of a dollar.