World’s Largest Biotechnology Company Uses Team of 74 Lobbyists to Win … – AllGov
By Dr. Matthew Watson
World's Largest Biotechnology Company Uses Team of 74 Lobbyists to Win ... AllGov Amgen, Inc., the world's largest biotechnology firm, will continue to sell one of its best selling drugs at unregulated prices, thanks to a provision buried within the fiscal-cliff compromise. With the help of its corps of 74 lobbyists, Amgen convinced ... |
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January 27th, 2013
Cotton biotechnology award recipients announced – Western Farm Press
By Dr. Matthew Watson
 Western Farm Press | Cotton biotechnology award recipients announced Western Farm Press As part of the Plant and Animal Genomic Conference held in San Diego, Calif., Dr. Don Jones of Cotton Incorporated presented the 2012 Cotton Biotechnology Award to five outstanding researchers that were instrumental in mapping the cotton genome. |
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January 27th, 2013
Research and Markets: USA Directory of Biotechnology Companies 2013 – 2000 … – Fort Mills Times
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Research and Markets: USA Directory of Biotechnology Companies 2013 - 2000 ... Fort Mills Times The USA Directory of Biotechnology Companies 2012-13 is one of the most comprehensive and accurate Directory of companies and executives in the biotechnology industry that have ever been published. It contains more than 2,000 biotechnology ... |
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January 27th, 2013
Protection of genetic heritage in the era of cloning
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Research on human beings has expanded greatly due to progress and the evolution of society as well as customs. Not only the unceasing development of research on human beings, but also interference in the beginning and end of life with homologous and heterogonous human reproduction, surrogate motherhood, cloning, gene therapies, eugenics,euthanasia, dysthanasia, orthothanasia, assisted suicide, genetic engineering, reassignment surgery in cases of transsexuality, the use of recombinant DNA technology and embryonic stem cells, transplantation of human organs and tissues, biotechnology and many other scientific advances. Scientific progress goes faster than the real needs of human beings, who are the final recipient of the entire evolutionary progress. Hence, there is the need to scrutinize w...
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January 27th, 2013
Stem Cell Agency Adds Fresh Details to IOM Response
By Dr. Matthew Watson
The California stem cell agency today
issued a press release touting “dramatic changes” at the agency in response to critical recommendations by the Institute of Medicine.
details about the changes than were released in the Power Point
presentation yesterday. Here is the text of those details.
- “The 13 Board members appointed from
institutions eligible for funding from the stem cell agency, such as
those in the University of California system, would no longer vote on
any grants brought before the Board but would instead abstain - “All members of the Board would
be able to participate in discussions on applications but only
patient advocates and independent members of the Board would be able
to vote on funding issues (members would continue to refrain from
any discussion of specific applications from their institutions) - “Patient Advocates would
continue to be members of the Grants Working Groups but would not
vote on individual applications - “Programmatic review, aimed at
balancing the agency’s portfolio, would take place at public Board
meetings where members have a chance to make changes to
recommendations from the Grants Working Group - “Industry involvement would
increase, where appropriate, on the Grants Working Group, and also
feature in a newly constituted Scientific Advisory Board; the
structure and membership of this group is still under discussion - “Appeals on applications not
recommended for funding will be handled by science staff who will
evaluate them, determine if they merit further review by the Grants
Working Group, and ultimately make recommendations to the Board.
Staff will also be allowed to advocate for additional grants not
recommended for funding by the Grants Working Group that they
believe should be considered in programmatic review - “The Chair and President would
share a division of responsibilities with the President supervising
all scientific operations and internal operational responsibilities.
In addition the Chief Financial Officer would report to the
President. The Chair would handle the ‘external affairs’ aspect
of the agency, things such as financial sustainability to raise
additional funds, state legislative relations, bond financing,
public communications etc. - “IOM recommendation on the
creation of a Scientific Advisory Board to provide counsel on such
issues as funding priorities and portfolio strategy will be
implemented by staff - “IOM recommendations on
Intellectual Property will be referred to the agency’s IP
subcommittee which will review and report back to the full board
with options and recommendations - “IOM recommendations on
Sustainability: Chair, working with the President, will develop a
plan to address this and present to the Board when ready
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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January 27th, 2013
Nature on the IOM and the California Stem Cell Agency
By Dr. Matthew Watson
The journal Nature today said on its
web site that the California stem cell agency plans to make a “few
changes” in response to a critical report from the Institute of
Medicine(IOM).
some of the IOM recommendations and the CIRM response. Baker wrote,
"Other IOM recommendations were only
indirectly addressed by (CIRM Chairman J.T.) Thomas’ plan. The IOM report had stated
that the board should restrict itself to an 'oversight' role
rather than an 'operational' role. Thomas’s recommendations
instead described ways to avoid overlapping duties. His own role as
chair is to handle 'external affairs' whereas CIRM’s president
will be to handle scientific and internal affairs."
comments from John M. Simpson of Consumer Watchdog.
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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January 27th, 2013
California Stem Cell Agency to Pitch Newspaper Editorial Boards
By Dr. Matthew Watson
The California stem cell agency is
planning an editorial road show with major California newspapers to
explain its new plan to deal with the recommendations of the
Institute of Medicine(IOM) for major changes at the agency.
The agency could have a tough audience.
The newspapers editorializing on the subject were unanimously in
favor of the IOM recommendations. One said the agency needs to clean
up its act. They warned of a loss of public trust along with losing the
possibility of continued financial support. (For a sample, see here
and here.)
today's meeting that a public relations foray was in the works
following board action on his proposals yesterday. He said,
“The opportunity is ripe.”
Jeff Sheehy, a UCSF communications manager, urged engaging the
editorial boards.
the IOM recommendations and sidestepped a call for
creating a new majority on the board of independent members. The IOM
said “far too many” board members – at least 13 – are tied to
institutions that receive money from CIRM. Thomas' plan would have
the 13 voluntarily restrain from voting on any grants for any
institution.
Cell Report shows that roughly 90 percent of the $1.7 billion awarded
by directors has gone to institutions with links to the directors.
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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January 27th, 2013
Meager, Meager Coverage of Yesterday’s IOM-Stem Cell Meeting
By Dr. Matthew Watson
The $3 billion California stem cell
agency seemed all but invisible this morning in terms of mainstream
media coverage.
the watershed events yesterday at the CIRM governing board meeting at
the Claremont Hotel in Oakland – at least from what our Internet
searches show.
in the San Diego U-T, the dominant daily newspaper in that area,
which is a major biotech center. The major media in the San Francisco
Bay area, home to the stem cell agency and also a biotech center, were absent from the coverage.
of the meeting, saying that the governing board voted “ to
accept in concept proposed
changes to reduce conflicts of interest on the agency's
governing committee.”
cell agency often wonder about the lack of mainstream coverage of its doings,
particularly the lack of favorable coverage.
state of the media business, which is understaffed and overworked
compared to 15 years ago. Specialized science reporters are all but
an extinct species. Also, the mainstream media has traditionally
ignored the affairs of most state agencies.
Northern California newspaper, I would not have sent a reporter to
cover this week's two-day CIRM board meetings. It would have consumed
too much valuable time with little likelihood of a major story,
especially when weighed against other story possibilities. There was
no guarantee that the board would have even acted. The events and
their significance could be better handled in a roundup story later
with more perspective, perhaps keying on the board's meeting in
March, where details of yesterday's action will be fleshed out. The
fact is that many, very important events occur within state
government every day that never receive media attention. Some don't
even see the light of day until a catastrophe occurs.
eyes in stem cell agency backers and others, but it is the reality of
today's news business.
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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January 27th, 2013
Roll Call Vote on the Thomas Plan Dealing with IOM Recommendations
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Here is the roll call vote yesterday on the plan to deal with the findings of the Institute of Medicine
concerning the California stem cell agency. The vote was 23-0 with
one abstention. The board has 29 seats. Not all board members were in attendance,
and it is not entirely clear whether all the board members in attendance
voted. Among other things, the plan calls for members with links to
institutions that could benefit from CIRM awards to voluntarily refrain from
voting on any applications for funding – not just those to their
institutions. The roll call was provided by a spokesman for the
agency.
Diego medical school.
Affymax
Francisco medical school
vice president of Genentech, appointed as executive officer of a
commercial life science entity
board of regents, appointed as patient advocate
chancellor, research, UC Irvine, and alternate for Sue Bryant,
interim provost at UC Irvine
Oakland
chancellor for research, political science professor, alternate for
the UC Berkeley chancellor
and patient advocate member of the board
patient advocate member
appointed as executive officer of a commercial life science entity
head of the Reeve-Irvine Research Center at UC Irvine
and Los Angeles bond financier
Sanford Burnham Research Institute
Claire Pomeroy, dean of the UC Davis medical school
Shlomo Melmed, senior vice president for academic affairs, Cedars Sinai
Research
(Editor's note: Based on information provided by CIRM, an earlier version of this item incorrectly reported that the vote was 21-0. It also contained errors on three names. All have been corrected. Thanks for the heads up on the misspellings from a board member who will remain unnamed.)
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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January 27th, 2013
Reaction to IOM: California Stem Cell Directors Approve Plan on Conflicts of Interest and More
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Directors of the $3 billion California
stem cell agency today approved a far-reaching plan aimed at resolving long-standing
conflict of interest issues involving the agency's governing board
and also at helping to maintain credibility with the public.
 |
| Jonathan Thomas CIRM photo |
Chairman J.T. Thomas moved forward on a 23-0 vote with one
abstention. He laid out the plan in response to sweeping recommendations from a blue-ribbon study by the Institute of Medicine. Details will be worked out and come back to the board in March.
were not pleased with the IOM criticism of the agency, Thomas said,
“This is one of those times that we must move forward and compromise.”
said issues such conflicts of interest have “stolen focus” from
the good scientific work that the agency has funded.
study commissioned by CIRM governing board. The IOM recommendations
called for removing conflict
of interest problems, cleaning up a troubling dual-executive arrangement
and fundamentally changing the nature of the governing board. The IOM proposals would strip the board of its ability to approve individual grants,
greatly strengthen the role of the agency's president, significantly
alter the role of patient advocates on the governing board and engage
the biotech industry more vigorously.
place for up to a one-year trial period, would not do all that the
IOM wanted, but would move strongly in that direction.
of the only state entity with financial oversight over CIRM, endorsed
most of the proposal, said deputy controller Ruth Holton-Hodson. She
told CIRM directors that Thomas' plan was thoughtful and positive,
although Chiang did not support continued involvement of the chairman
in day-to-day operations.
- Have 13 members of the 29-member board
refrain from voting on specific grant applications. The 13 would be from institutions that could benefit from CIRM grants. They would be
allowed to participate in discussions. Thomas said this would deal
with financial conflict of interest questions. - Increase industry participation of
industry in grant application review and step up business involvement
internally at CIRM, including development of RFAs. - Redirect all scientific appeals to
staff to evaluate for possible re-review before they go to the full
board. - Move “programmatic” review of
grants to public sessions of the full board instead of being held
behind closed doors during grant review sessions. Patient advocate
directors now sitting on the grant review group would no longer be
allowed to vote during the closed-door review sessions, but they
could participate in the discussion.
It appears, however, that the Thomas
plan would do little to deal with the dual-executive problems identified
by the IOM.
long observer of the stem cell agency, welcomed the response by
CIRM. Writing on his blog, Simpson said,
"It looks like
the message is finally getting through to California's stem cell
agency board....
Part of what is driving the new
approach is the realization that CIRM will need to find a new source
of funding -- possibly going back to the voters -- if it is to
continue. As Thomas told the board today, 'If we don't
have credibility, we won't have a chance of sustaining the agency.'"
afternoon, one director after another said they did not agree with
all that the IOM had to say, but said maintaining credibility and
trust was the key to the sustainability of the organization.
grants in less than four years. Thomas said he is working on a plan
to continue the agency's effort into the future. Details of that will
be disclosed later, he said.
(Editor's note: An earlier version of this item, based on incorrect information from CIRM, said the vote was 21-0. The correct figure is 23-0.)
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/Phybdqb0SV0/iom-california-stem-cell-directors.html
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January 27th, 2013
Potential of differentiated iPS cells in cell therapy without immune rejection
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Jan. 25, 2013 A new study from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) shows that tissues derived from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells in an experimental model were not rejected when transplanted back into genetically identical recipients. The study, published online in Cell Stem Cell, demonstrates the potential of utilizing iPS cells to develop cell types that could offer treatment for a wide range of conditions, including diabetes, liver and lung diseases, without the barrier of immune rejection.
Ashleigh Boyd, DPhil, and Neil Rodrigues, DPhil, the study's senior authors, are assistant professors of dermatology at BUSM and researchers at the Center for Regenerative Medicine (CReM) at Boston University and Boston Medical Center (BMC). They also are lead investigators at the National Institutes of Health's Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) at Roger Williams Medical Center, a clinical and research affiliate of BUSM.
iPS cells can be developed from adult cell types, such as skin or blood, by returning them to a stem cell state using genetic manipulation. iPS cells are capable of maturing (differentiating) into all the specific cell types in the body, making them a powerful tool for biological research and a source of tissues for transplantation based therapies. Given that iPS cells can be made in a patient-specific manner, there should be great potential for them to be transplanted back into the same patient without rejection. Yet a study published in Nature in 2011 demonstrated that iPS cells transplanted in the stem cell state were rejected in genetically identical recipients.
"The Nature study provocatively suggested that tissues derived from patient-specific iPS cells may be immunogenic after transplantation. However, it never directly assessed the immunogenicity of the therapeutically relevant cell types that could be utilized in regenerative medicine and transplantation," said Rodrigues.
The BUSM researchers evaluated this matter by taking adult cells from an experimental model and deriving iPS cells from them. They then differentiated the iPS cells into three cell types: neuronal (nerve); hepatocytes (liver); and endothelial (blood vessel lining) cells. These three cell types represent each of the three germ layers present during embryonic development -- mesoderm, ectoderm and endoderm. Cells from these layers differentiate and ultimately develop into the body's tissue and organ systems. Using experiments to mirror the potential clinical use of patient-specific iPS cells in cell therapy, the team transplanted each of the differentiated cells into a genetically identical experimental model and found no signs of an elevated immune response or indications of rejection.
The study results suggest that using patient-specific iPS cells should overcome issues of immune rejection in transplantation, which will be a significant problem for potential embryonic stem cell-derived therapies. Immune rejection in transplantation is treated clinically by immunosuppressive drugs but they can have serious side-effects, including the risk of developing cancer.
"If the use of immunosuppressive drugs can be avoided, as may be the case for patient-specific iPS cell based therapies, it would be preferable. Our results are very promising and future work should be directed at assessing whether tissues derived from human iPS cells will similarly lack immunogenicity," said Boyd.
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January 27th, 2013
Thelma 8 weeks after Stem Cell Therapy – Video
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Thelma 8 weeks after Stem Cell Therapy
By: krazykp12
See the article here:
Thelma 8 weeks after Stem Cell Therapy - Video
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January 24th, 2013
Things to know about the real fountain of youth
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Fountain of youth is referred to a spring. If a person drinks the water of it, he or she can easily restore the youth again in themselves. In his writing Herodotus has also mentioned about this concept. This has become a kind of legend and many a famous author like Homer or Shakespeare have also discussed about in the literature. Now the biggest question is that whether there is really any kind of such fountain on this earth or not.
How the search goes on:
The search of such a fountain goes generation after generation because men have always wanted more youth. With the progress of science men have made many an incredible thing successful. The use of stem cells and many other related inventions have made huge change in human life. Men and women are getting longer and fitter life. More researches on cells are going on and scientists are working very hard to invent various things by the help of which we can keep our youth for longer time.
What the concept is:
Though the whole thing comes from a myth but the main aspect of this thought is to get back the life again. Man has always searched for immortality. According to scientists, now they have found out a way to continue your youth for longer time. Actually our body can have the charm of youth because of cell division. Normally a cell can divide for fifty times and then gradually it stops and the characteristics of old age begin to come in the body. Now the scientists have succeeded to produce such a cell which can divide it over 90 times and still it will not get slow down. Scientists have used an enzyme with the chromosomes the name of which is Telomerase. Telomere shortening is the actual reason of gradually getting old. Now this enzyme will stop the normal shortening process of telomere and thus it can help you to keep your youth in yourself for longer time.
Its drawback:
This enzyme is undoubtedly one of the most incredible inventions at the moment but it may have some drawbacks. According to some of the scientists this shortening process of telomere is a natural process. Now this natural process can eventually ward off cancer. Now by adding this enzyme this natural process of body defense will be destroyed. Some of the scientists are worried of the consequences of that. More experiments are going on and after the successful completion of them the scientists will be able to state the result of this new invention.
Searching for longer life:
Most of the people on this earth like to have a longer life especially a longer youth in which he will have ample energy to enjoy all the entertaining aspects of life. The concept of fountain of youth has been traditionally carried forward generation after generation because of this continuous wish of longer life of human being.
The myth of finding a fountain where the water can be found which can bring back youth may not be found physically. However, progress of science can assure a longer youth for human. In recent future man is going to live a longer enjoyable life.
About The Author: Claudia is a writer/ blogger. She loves writing, travelling and reading books. She contributes to Caribbean Cruise Line Scam
Source:
http://www.biotechblog.org/entry/real-fountain-youth/
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January 20th, 2013
Genetech Biotechnology Corp. (OTC:GNBT) Recovers Lost Ground – HotStocked
By Dr. Matthew Watson
 HotStocked | Genetech Biotechnology Corp. (OTC:GNBT) Recovers Lost Ground HotStocked 2 Comments. Watch the video to learn about the probability of Generex Biotechnology Corp. (GNBT) Chart Signal as of Jan 19 2013. Get Adobe Flash player. This free program will calculate the probabilities of Generex Biotechnology Corp. (GNBT) stock ... Before You Start Your Long Weekend, Check Out These Three Budding Ideas ...SmallCap Network |
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January 20th, 2013
Federal Investigations Reveal Severe Neglect of Animals at Santa Cruz … – Bay Area Indymedia
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Bay Area Indymedia | Federal Investigations Reveal Severe Neglect of Animals at Santa Cruz ... Bay Area Indymedia According to inspection reports, Santa Cruz Biotechnology houses approximately 10,000 goats and 6,000 rabbits as well as horses and cattle not regulated by the USDA. (Anthro/iStockphoto.com) Thursday, January 17, 2013. Contacts: Michael Budkie, SAEN ... |
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January 20th, 2013
Animal Welfare Institute Requests Action from Federal Agencies on Santa Cruz … – Bay Area Indymedia
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Animal Welfare Institute Requests Action from Federal Agencies on Santa Cruz ... Bay Area Indymedia On behalf of the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), I am writing to respectfully request that you take urgent action to immediately revoke the dealer license of Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc. (SCBT), license #93-B-0192. SCBT has been cited by USDA for ... Lawsuit Claims Animal Cruelty By Santa Cruz Biotech FirmCBS Local Animal rights organization files suit against Santa Cruz BiotechInside Bay Area |
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January 20th, 2013
Stem Cell Agency Chair Pressing for Consensus on IOM Recommendations
By Dr. Matthew Watson
The chairman of the $3 billion
California stem cell agency, Jonathan Thomas, yesterday outlined how
he intends to proceed next week when the agency's governing board
considers the far-reaching recommendations of a blue-ribbon Institute
of Medicine panel.
said,
“While some of the IOM’s
recommendations are administrative in nature and can be implemented,
others are much more complex and would require changes in (governing)
board policy or legislative changes.”
 |
| Jonathan Thomas, chairman of CIRM governing board at far right. Art Torres (center), co-vice chair and former state Democratic party chairman, who would play key role in dealing with lawmakers. Robert Klein is at the left in this 2011 meeting, Klein's last as chairman of the agency and the one in which Thomas was elected chairman. |
“My goal is to strive to reach
consensus on a course of action on the 23rd. However, if the board
isn’t able to choose a course of action at this time we will
continue the conversation and bring it up at future board meetings
until we reach agreement.”
mention the possibility of having to ask the people of California to
amend the state constitution, which would require a statewide election. Opponents to change at the agency have
used that possibility to discourage action. (See here and here.) An
election would be costly, politically difficult and could open the
door to additional unwelcome changes at the eight-year-old research
enterprise.
the 29 board members – instead of a simple majority – could be a
stumbling block as the board becomes snarled internally, perhaps for
months or more. The board normally meets only about once a month and
has a full slate of regular business on those occasions. The agency
will run out of money for new grants in less than four years, and
action on the IOM recommendations seems a necessary prelude to
winning continued financial support.
period of time, making the sort of changes the IOM recommends would
require legislative action, which probably would take a minimum of a
year. Timing is important as well. The current leaders in the state
Senate and Assembly will be termed out in 2014. Starting all over
with novice leadership, changes in key committee chairmanships and so
forth would make the task even more difficult. Then there is the need
to address strategies for continued financial support. Should the
agency seek a new statewide bond measure (the current funding
mechanism)? If so campaign committees need to be formed, electoral
strategies planned and tested and tens of millions of dollars raised
for campaign expenses. If private funds instead are to be raised to
the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars(the agency spends about
$300 million a year), such an effort would also require considerable time.
To keep the funding pipeline full, all of this should be completed
well before the money runs out in 2017.
the IOM proposals would be an unfortunate beginning should CIRM
directors actually want to continue the existence of the
organization.
final note.
“It’s likely the debate will be
passionate – everyone involved in this work cares deeply about it –
and there will undoubtedly be disagreements, but ultimately we all
share the same goal, a desire to make sure that whatever we decide
helps make the stem cell agency even stronger and more effective, and
is in the best interests of the people of California.”
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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January 20th, 2013
StemCells, Inc., Still Looking for $40 Million from California Stem Cell Agency
By Dr. Matthew Watson
million it was awarded by the California stem cell agency.
eminent Stanford researcher Irv Weissman, received an award of $20
million last July and then again in September. Nearly five months
later, however, the stem cell agency has yet to cut a check for the
company, a spokesman for the agency told the California Stem Cell
Report in response to a query.
matching funds that the company promised the agency. The stem cell
agency has yet to be satisfied that StemCells, Inc., can actually
produce the match, although the spokesman did not offer details.
unusual in a number of ways. It was the first time that former CIRM
Chairman Robert Klein lobbied the CIRM governing board on behalf of a
company(see here and here). It was the first time that the governing
board approved an application that had been rejected twice by grant
reviewers. It was the first time that the board said explicitly in a
public session that it wanted proof of the matching funds as a
condition of the award.
to a company received a careful and critical scrutiny from a major
California newspaper. Michael Hiltzik, a Pulitzer Prize-winning
business columnist and author, wrote in October in the Los Angeles
Times that the award was “redolent of cronyism.” He referred
particularly to longstanding ties between Klein and Weissman.
Inc., grant in September was 7-5, which amounted to 12 out of 29
members of the board.
Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended that the agency tighten its
conflict of interest standards to avoid such perceptions as have been
generated by the StemCells, Inc., awards. The IOM said,
“(C)ompeting personal and
professional interests compromise the perceived independence of
the (governing board), introduce potential bias into the board’s decision
making, and threaten to undermine confidence in the board.”
Concerns about conflicts of interest have long been of concern to observers of the stem cell agency for years. Indeed, the prestigious journal Nature in 2008 warned of "cronyism" at the $3 billion research enterprise.
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/uqpFc/~3/5BdZ8FguJp8/stemcells-inc-still-looking-for-40.html
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January 20th, 2013
Patient Advocate Says IOM Recommendations Would ‘Destroy’ California Stem Cell Agency
By Dr. Matthew Watson
California's “beloved,” $3 billion
stem cell research program should not be altered despite
recommendations from the most prestigious scientific organization of
its kind. So says longtime patient advocate Don Reed of Fremont, Ca.
Institute of Medicine (IOM) are a “threat” that would “destroy” an
agency that “is like nothing else on earth.” Reed is urging other
patient advocates to turn out at next week's critical meeting of the stem cell agency's board and lobby against alterations in how it does
business.
 |
| Reed and CIRM's Amy Adams World Stem Cell Summit photo |
nationally and in California and has been a regular at the stem cell
agency's public meetings since 2004. He is also vice president of
Americans for Cures, a private stem cell lobbying group created by
Robert Klein when he was chairman of the stem cell agency, formally known as the California Institute for Regenerative
Medicine(CIRM).
report on his blog with duplicate publication on the Huffington Post.
Yesterday, he said IOM “defies” the voters' will when they
created the stem cell agency in 2004. On Dec. 19, he said the
$700,000, 17-month study was “staggeringly misguided.” He wrote,
“If its recommendations were enacted,
they would silence stem cell patient advocate involvement, eliminate
public debate on funding proposals, and delegate the real decisions
to secret proceedings by an out-of-state-controlled board.”
“fantastic” and wrote,
“So why mess with it, in such a
brutal and insulting manner?”
early days of the stem cell agency and respects him. But in this
case he has many of his facts wrong. To mention just a few key
points: Patient advocates would not be silenced; their role would be
changed. Public comment would not be eliminated. Scientists could
still appeal negative decisions by reviewers to the full board if
they so choose, although the “extraordinary petition” process
would be eliminated. The voters' will would not be defied; they provided for a mechanism for making changes in the stem cell program.
publicly on the IOM report, some of Reed's comments reflect Klein's
past positions against altering the agency. Klein, an attorney and
real estate investment banker, might well be considered the father of
the agency. He directed the writing of the 10,000-word measure, Prop. 71, that created the program and wrote much of ballot initiative himself. The initiative contained a detailed description of the
qualifications for the chairman, which fit only one person in
California. It was no surprise when he won the post.
in the board on earlier proposals for changes that he disliked and that the IOM report now echoes.
advocate for commissioning the IOM report which he expected
to serve as the basis for continued funding of the agency. It will
run out of cash for new grants in 2017.
said the IOM report would constitute a “gold standard” that would
generate increased enthusiasm for the research.
“(We will) never convince the people
that are adamant against us. But for the public and for the
constituent groups that are reasoned and prepared to look at
evidence, this is a very important validation that they can look to
to separate out what is a false claim from real performance.”
study was Bradley Fikes of the San Diego U-T, the dominant daily
newspaper in that area.
plans to file his own story within the next few days.
clicking on the word “comment” below or with the stem cell agency
at info@cirm.ca.gov. Anonymous
comments are permitted on this blog.
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Stem Cell Therapy
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January 20th, 2013
UC Davis Stem Cell Researcher: ‘Ivory Tower’ IOM Recommendations Harmful to California Stem Cell Agency
By Dr. Matthew Watson
The $3 billion California stem cell
agency has funded in the neighborhood of 500 to 600 scientists and
institutions, reviving and starting careers and stimulating
construction of $1 billion in new research labs around the state.
know, has come forward to comment publicly on the sweeping recommendations by Institute of Medicine for changes at the agency.
Until today, that is.
may be the only stem cell scientist in the United States with a stem
cell blog, weighed in with his thoughts today, which do not align
with those of the blue-ribbon IOM panel.
actually make CIRM less effective and less responsive to patients and
California citizens.”
will come before stem cell agency governing board next week “...seems more like an ivory tower
intellectual exercise than an operative, realistic guide to a dynamic
agency that must operate in the real world.”
which came under fire from the IOM for conflicts of interest.
Institutions linked to board members have received about 90 percent
of the $1.7 billion that the board has awarded, according to compilations by the California Stem Cell Report. The IOM said,
“Far too many board members
represent organizations that receive CIRM funding or benefit from
that funding. These competing personal and professional
interests compromise the perceived independence of the ICOC,
introduce potential bias into the board’s decision making, and
threaten to undermine confidence in the board."
“(The) IOM itself admits there is no
evidence that any conflicts of interest have ever guided (the agency's governing board) decisions. Not one example.”
“Interestingly, highlighting the
extremely sensitive nature of this issue, while I’ve been talking
with many bigwigs about this, at this point no one is wiling to go on
the record with an opinion about it except one courageous soul, Don
Reed (see
his piece here).”
described as the gold standard. And it has a rareified membership
that many scientists seek to join. So few are ready to give the
organization a smack on the nose. Likewise, California researchers
are loath to publicly criticize the stem cell agency because it
holds the strings to the purse that finances their careers.
be asking themselves a bottom-line question. Do they want to see the
stem cell agency continue for another 10 to 20 years? Under the best
of circumstances, that may be unlikely given the other pressing needs
that the state faces. But if CIRM directors do not forthrightly
address the recommendations of the IOM panel, the fate of the stem
cell agency is exceedingly uncertain.
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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January 20th, 2013