What Natural Genetic Engineering Does and Does Not Mean – Huffington Post
By Dr. Matthew Watson
What Natural Genetic Engineering Does and Does Not Mean Huffington Post In correspondence and comments on some of my blogs, there have been confusions or questions as to what I mean by "natural genetic engineering" (NGE). I will use this blog to spell out what my understanding of NGE is. Then I will discuss some ... |
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March 3rd, 2013
Genetic Engineering Labeling Bill Introduced in U.S. Congress – eNews Park Forest
By Dr. Matthew Watson
 WNAX | Genetic Engineering Labeling Bill Introduced in U.S. Congress eNews Park Forest Washington, DC--(ENEWSPF)--February 28, 2013. Representative Jared Polis (D-CO) announced last Wednesday that he intends to co-sponsor a bill in Congress along with Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) to mandate the labeling of food containing ... Controversial GMO bill to be scrutinized by ag committee this summerConcord Monitor Bills would require labels on genetically engineered foodMinneapolis Star Tribune |
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March 3rd, 2013
Genetic engineering ‘monster’ exists only in our minds – TheNewsTribune.com
By Dr. Matthew Watson
TheNewsTribune.com | Genetic engineering 'monster' exists only in our minds TheNewsTribune.com Genetic engineering 'monster' exists only in our minds. Mark Lynas is a British environmentalist and journalist, with impeccable crusader credentials. In the 1990s he took a leading role in the worldwide campaign against genetically modified foods, and ... |
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March 3rd, 2013
Biotechnology doesn’t intimidate Bob Jones HOSA members in Montgomery – Madison Record
By Dr. Matthew Watson
 Madison Record | Biotechnology doesn't intimidate Bob Jones HOSA members in Montgomery Madison Record MADISON – Biotechnology, extemporaneous writing and even pathophysiology were among the topics that led to competition honors for Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) members from Bob Jones High School. Sponsor Melinda Lawson and ... |
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March 3rd, 2013
Mylan to Buy Strides Injectables Unit for $1.6 Billion – Bloomberg
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Mylan to Buy Strides Injectables Unit for $1.6 Billion Bloomberg Mylan Inc.'s $1.6 billion agreement to buy Strides Arcolab Ltd. (STR)'s injectable-medicine unit will help the U.S. company's push into copies of expensive biotechnology drugs, Chief Executive Officer Heather Bresch said. “Injectables have been high on ... |
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March 3rd, 2013
Top 10 ways biotechnology could improve our everyday life – EurekAlert (press release)
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Top 10 ways biotechnology could improve our everyday life EurekAlert (press release) Daejeon, Republic of Korea, February 25, 2013—The Global Agenda Council on Biotechnology, one of the global networks under the World Economic Forum (WEF), which is composed of the world's leading experts in the field of biotechnology, announced ... |
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March 3rd, 2013
Ideas for Biotechnology Development Center Sought – HSToday
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Ideas for Biotechnology Development Center Sought HSToday As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) begins to build its new National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kan., it is asking for industry feedback on a planned part of the lab that would transfer technology to companies producing ... |
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March 3rd, 2013
Imprimis welcomes government’s move to set up Institute of Agricultural Bio … – India PRwire (press release)
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Imprimis welcomes government's move to set up Institute of Agricultural Bio ... India PRwire (press release) Imprimis, a leader in the life sciences communications space, has welcomed the announcement in the latest budget about establishing the Indian Institute of Agricultural Bio-technology at Ranchi, Jharkhand. The Institute will serve as a centre of ... Union Budget 2013: Booster dose for agri biotechTimes of India |
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March 3rd, 2013
Farmer’s Diary: Biotechnology and the future of farming – Daily Monitor
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Farmer's Diary: Biotechnology and the future of farming Daily Monitor As we could all have read in the Seeds of Gold last week, the Bill on biotechnology and biosafety is now before Parliament. For years we have been waiting for a law governing the use of biotechnology products, which are bound to become common as our ... |
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March 3rd, 2013
UNESCO urges popularisation of biotechnology in Africa – BusinessDay
By Dr. Matthew Watson
UNESCO urges popularisation of biotechnology in Africa BusinessDay Maciej J. Nalecz, a professor, and the global organisation's director of basic sciences, stated in a key note address that biotechnology is most suited to enable Africa tackle its challenges. Nalecz stated, “Biotechnology is an obvious choice for ... |
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March 3rd, 2013
3 Solid, Low Beta Biotechnology Stocks To Buy On Dip – Seeking Alpha
By Dr. Matthew Watson
3 Solid, Low Beta Biotechnology Stocks To Buy On Dip Seeking Alpha In this articles, three solid, large-cap biotechnology stocks with strong fundamentals are presented, including Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD), Amgen Inc. (AMGN), and Celgene Corporation (CELG). All three stocks have a strong ROE and a low beta and are ... |
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March 3rd, 2013
New cancer ‘vaccine’ shows future promise in treating and preventing … – EurekAlert (press release)
By Dr. Matthew Watson
New cancer 'vaccine' shows future promise in treating and preventing ... EurekAlert (press release) "Successfully promoting antitumor immunity will help eradicate tumor cells, control cancer progression and help prevent tumor relapse," says Wang, Harrison Scholar, member of the Cancer Molecular Genetics research program at VCU Massey Cancer ... |
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March 3rd, 2013
Scientists Discover How Deadly Bacteria Trick the Immune System – Infection Control Today
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Scientists Discover How Deadly Bacteria Trick the Immune System Infection Control Today ... to better, more targeted treatments," says senior author Dr. Robert L. Modlin, chief of dermatology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a professor of microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics in the UCLA Division of Life Sciences. |
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March 3rd, 2013
Screening for DNA-repair gene could predict rate of progress of Huntington’s … – HealthCanal.com
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Screening for DNA-repair gene could predict rate of progress of Huntington's ... HealthCanal.com It worsens mutations like the one that causes Huntington's disease or myotonic dystrophy,” Dr. Pearson explains. He is Senior Scientist in Genetics & Genome Biology at SickKids and is Associate Professor of Molecular Genetics at University of Toronto. |
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March 3rd, 2013
Colon cancer exhibits a corresponding epigenetic pattern in mice and humans – Medical Xpress
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Colon cancer exhibits a corresponding epigenetic pattern in mice and humans Medical Xpress Scientists of the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin have now discovered a recurring pattern of more than 13,000 epigenetic alterations in young tumours of the mouse. This genome-wide pattern was found to be partly conserved in human ... |
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March 3rd, 2013
3 Surprising Ways to Fight a Cold – Men’s Health News
By Dr. Matthew Watson
 Men's Health News | 3 Surprising Ways to Fight a Cold Men's Health News “Your lifestyle is absolutely critical in telomere length—it plays a huge role,” says David Gilley, Ph.D., a professor of medical and molecular genetics at Indiana University School of Medicine. Read on to discover how you can revitalize your ... |
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March 3rd, 2013
LA Times: Stem Cell Agency Conflict-of-Interest Response Only a Bandage
By Dr. Matthew Watson
The Los Angeles Times yesterday modestly praised the $3 billion California stem cell agency for
taking some limited steps to deal with its longstanding conflict of
interest issues.
But the newspaper, which has the largest circulation in the state, said that was more was
needed if the agency plans to have a life after 2017, when funds for
new awards run out.
needed if the agency plans to have a life after 2017, when funds for
new awards run out.
The Times editorial said,
“After years of resisting all
criticisms of its operations, the California Institute for
Regenerative Medicine is finally listening — a little.“
The editorial continued,
“Yet the agency isn't exactly
embracing an ethical overhaul. It's doing just enough to address the
criticisms without triggering any oversight from the Legislature. The
modifications are more a bandage than a cure. Like a bandage, they
will probably do, but only for a limited time.”
The board plans to have 13 board
members with ties to recipient institutions voluntarily refrain from
voting on any grants that come before the board, not just the ones to
their institutions.
members with ties to recipient institutions voluntarily refrain from
voting on any grants that come before the board, not just the ones to
their institutions.
The Times said December's blue-ribbon
report from the Institute of Medicine identified the make-up of the
board as the “single biggest problem” at the agency. The
editorial cited figures prepared by the California Stem Cell Report
that show that about 90 percent of the $1.8 billion that the board
has awarded has gone to institutions linked to current or past
members of the board. Fifteen out of the 29 current board members
have ties to recipient institutions.
report from the Institute of Medicine identified the make-up of the
board as the “single biggest problem” at the agency. The
editorial cited figures prepared by the California Stem Cell Report
that show that about 90 percent of the $1.8 billion that the board
has awarded has gone to institutions linked to current or past
members of the board. Fifteen out of the 29 current board members
have ties to recipient institutions.
The editorial concluded,
“If the stem cell institute is just a
temporary agency that will last until its public funding runs out —
it plans to give its last grants with existing funds in 2017 — its
planned reforms will probably be enough. But if the institute wants
to be a permanent part of the research landscape — and possibly ask
for more public funding — voluntary recusals are an inadequate
patch. The agency's leaders should admit that the original setup was
flawed and seek a true fix. “
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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March 3rd, 2013
CIRM Director Prieto on Disclosure of Reviewer Financial Interests
By Dr. Matthew Watson
A member of the governing board of the
$3 billion California stem cell agency is weighing in on an item on
the California Stem Cell Report that called for public disclosure of the financial interests of the scientific reviewers, who make 98
percent of the decisions on awards by the agency.
Francisco Prieto, a Sacramento
physician and a patient advocate member of the board, said in an email:
physician and a patient advocate member of the board, said in an email:
“ It seems to me there's a bit
of 'damned if we do and damned if we don't' here. If the ICOC (the
agency governing board) decides to listen to some of the members of
the public who come to our meetings and overrule a recommendation of
the Grants Working Group(GWG), we're slammed for letting emotion trump
science, or bowing to special interests. If we just accept the
rankings of the GWG and approve all their recommendations, we're
criticized for not being truly independent. I think we don't do
it often (for good reason) but should and do retain the right to look
at other factors besides those our scientific reviewers do, and make
our own decisions about funding. We are ultimately responsible, not
the scientific reviewers.
“As for the issue of their
disclosure of personal conflicts of interest, from what I've read of
the NIH processes, ours are no less strict. The NIH requires that
reviewers disclose any conflicts to their institutions which I
believe must disclose them to the NIH, but I have not seen anything
requiring them to disclose all their personal financial & other
interests publicly, as we (ICOC members) have to. When we were
assembling our group of reviewers initially, the fear was that many
of the best scientists would turn us down if we required them to make
the kind of personal disclosures we have to. I don't know how many we
might actually lose if that were the case, but as you know we do
require them to disclose to CIRM, and they have to leave the room
when any application for which they have a conflict is discussed.”
Our take: Prieto is right about the
board being perched on the horns of a dilemma, which has a lot to do
with Proposition 71, which created the agency, and American
scientific traditions, which place an extraordinary value on the
“integrity” of the review process. In this case, integrity refers
to adherence to reviewers' scientific judgments.
board being perched on the horns of a dilemma, which has a lot to do
with Proposition 71, which created the agency, and American
scientific traditions, which place an extraordinary value on the
“integrity” of the review process. In this case, integrity refers
to adherence to reviewers' scientific judgments.
Proposition 71 placed the legal
authority for grant approvals in the hands of the CIRM board, which
has overridden decisions by reviewers in only 2 percent of the cases
since 2005. However, that was enough, with at least one high profile
case coupled with public appeals, to cause the Institute of Medicine
to raise concerns about the integrity of the CIRM grant review
process. Traditionally, peer reviewers are deemed to be the most
capable of making the scientific decisions about grant applications,
rather than a board appointed by University of California chancellors
and elected state officials.
authority for grant approvals in the hands of the CIRM board, which
has overridden decisions by reviewers in only 2 percent of the cases
since 2005. However, that was enough, with at least one high profile
case coupled with public appeals, to cause the Institute of Medicine
to raise concerns about the integrity of the CIRM grant review
process. Traditionally, peer reviewers are deemed to be the most
capable of making the scientific decisions about grant applications,
rather than a board appointed by University of California chancellors
and elected state officials.
Yet, if the board concedes the
decisions to the grant reviewers, state law is likely to require
public disclosure of their financial interests, a move that the board
has opposed for years. Former CIRM Chairman Robert Klein repeatedly
advised the board during its public grant approval processes that
reviewers' actions were only ”recommendations” and that the board
was actually making the decisions. However, it has long been apparent
that the reviewers were making the de facto decisions. A CIRM memo in
January confirmed that, producing the 98 percent figure.
decisions to the grant reviewers, state law is likely to require
public disclosure of their financial interests, a move that the board
has opposed for years. Former CIRM Chairman Robert Klein repeatedly
advised the board during its public grant approval processes that
reviewers' actions were only ”recommendations” and that the board
was actually making the decisions. However, it has long been apparent
that the reviewers were making the de facto decisions. A CIRM memo in
January confirmed that, producing the 98 percent figure.
The issues involving disclosure by
reviewers, integrity of peer reviews, the language of Proposition 71
and state law are difficult and may, in some cases, be at odds.
reviewers, integrity of peer reviews, the language of Proposition 71
and state law are difficult and may, in some cases, be at odds.
However, it makes little difference
what the NIH is doing. It is a much different organization and has
had a history of conflict of interest problems that it has been
trying to work through.
what the NIH is doing. It is a much different organization and has
had a history of conflict of interest problems that it has been
trying to work through.
The trend in the academic and
scientific research community has been towards more public disclosure
rather than less because of many well-documented instances of
problems. What is at stake is the public's faith in scientific
research and the integrity of public institutions.
scientific research community has been towards more public disclosure
rather than less because of many well-documented instances of
problems. What is at stake is the public's faith in scientific
research and the integrity of public institutions.
Our thanks to Prieto for his comments
on this important subject.
on this important subject.
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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March 3rd, 2013
California Stem Cell Agency: Comparing the Critiques
By Dr. Matthew Watson
State Controller John Chiang has posted
a useful, side-by-side comparison of critiques of the $3 billion
California stem cell agency, including the Institute of Medicine(IOM)
study, along with the responses from the agency.
Chiang, the state's top fiscal officer,
has additionally posted the initial remarks Jan. 23 by CIRM Chairman
Jonathan Thomas before the stem cell agency governing board on his
plan to deal with the sweeping recommendations of the IOM.
has additionally posted the initial remarks Jan. 23 by CIRM Chairman
Jonathan Thomas before the stem cell agency governing board on his
plan to deal with the sweeping recommendations of the IOM.
Regardless of one's opinion of the
board's response to the IOM, Thomas adroitly handled the discussion
and vote, not a small accomplishment given the size of the board (29
members) and the legal restrictions involving public meetings. Under
state law, Thomas could not lobby significant numbers of the board in
advance of the meeting. He was restricted to engineering the approval
in a public session, which can easily take on a life of its own given
the unwieldy size of the board and the necessity for public comment.
board's response to the IOM, Thomas adroitly handled the discussion
and vote, not a small accomplishment given the size of the board (29
members) and the legal restrictions involving public meetings. Under
state law, Thomas could not lobby significant numbers of the board in
advance of the meeting. He was restricted to engineering the approval
in a public session, which can easily take on a life of its own given
the unwieldy size of the board and the necessity for public comment.
As for the documents posted by Chiang,
he is chairman of the Citizens Financial Accountability and Oversight
Committee, the only state body specifically charged with oversight of
the agency and its board. The web site for the committee is the only
location on the Internet where Thomas' prepared remarks and the
comparison can be found.
he is chairman of the Citizens Financial Accountability and Oversight
Committee, the only state body specifically charged with oversight of
the agency and its board. The web site for the committee is the only
location on the Internet where Thomas' prepared remarks and the
comparison can be found.
Chiang's comparison chart includes not
only the IOM study, but last year's performance audit and the Little
Hoover Commission study in 2009. Missing, however, is the state
auditor's report in 2007 and its recommendation that the agency seek an attorney general's opinion on whether scientific grant reviewers must file a public financial disclosure form.
only the IOM study, but last year's performance audit and the Little
Hoover Commission study in 2009. Missing, however, is the state
auditor's report in 2007 and its recommendation that the agency seek an attorney general's opinion on whether scientific grant reviewers must file a public financial disclosure form.
Here are links to the various
documents: Thomas' prepared comments, Power Point chart used by Thomas,
comparison chart of various studies and the transcript of the Jan. 23 meeting during which the governing board approved its response.
documents: Thomas' prepared comments, Power Point chart used by Thomas,
comparison chart of various studies and the transcript of the Jan. 23 meeting during which the governing board approved its response.
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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March 3rd, 2013
California Stem Cell Agency Bonds On Sale in March
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Early next month, the state of
California will sell $2.7 billion in bonds, a tiny fraction of which will go
towards the California stem cell agency.
It is all part of an arrangement that
currently involves short-term borrowing as well to keep the cash
pipeline at CIRM properly filled.
currently involves short-term borrowing as well to keep the cash
pipeline at CIRM properly filled.
To refresh some of you, the agency
subsists off money that the state borrows (bonds) instead of going to
the legislature annually for financial support. While that avoids
competing against school children, the poor, the University of
California, state colleges, parks, highways and other interests
seeking state funding, it also means that the cost of a $20 million
grant is something closer to $40 million because of the interest
expense.
subsists off money that the state borrows (bonds) instead of going to
the legislature annually for financial support. While that avoids
competing against school children, the poor, the University of
California, state colleges, parks, highways and other interests
seeking state funding, it also means that the cost of a $20 million
grant is something closer to $40 million because of the interest
expense.
The California Stem Cell Report last
week asked the state treasurer's office about the bond sale March
12-13 and what it means for the stem cell agency. Here is what Tom
Dresslar, spokesman for the treasurer, replied in an email.
week asked the state treasurer's office about the bond sale March
12-13 and what it means for the stem cell agency. Here is what Tom
Dresslar, spokesman for the treasurer, replied in an email.
“CIRM’s funding needs now are met
via the issuance of commercial paper (CP). They’re authorized
a certain amount of CP periodically. Then we work with them on
a regular basis to issue the commercial paper on an as-needed basis.
Last fall, they were authorized $160 million of CP. We will
issue the first $27 million under that authorization (this) week.
This spring, CIRM is scheduled to receive another $100 million
authorization. The Department of Finance , consulting with CIRM
officials, determined the $100 million would be needed to meet CIRM’s
funding requirements through the end of 2013.“Now, here’s where it gets a little
complicated. The state pays down the CP with bond proceeds.
The March ....bond sale includes $60 million of stem
cell bonds. Those proceeds won’t provide new money for CIRM,
but will pay down the CP proceeds CIRM already has used.”
Proposition 71, which created the stem
cell agency in 2004, authorized bond sales for stem cell research for
only 10 years. CIRM's financial timekeepers say the clock started
running when the first bonds were sold. The upshot is that the agency
will run out of money for new grants in less than four years.
cell agency in 2004, authorized bond sales for stem cell research for
only 10 years. CIRM's financial timekeepers say the clock started
running when the first bonds were sold. The upshot is that the agency
will run out of money for new grants in less than four years.
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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March 3rd, 2013