Pet Surgery | Las Vegas | Veterinary Stem Cell Therapy | TPLO – Video
By daniellenierenberg
Pet Surgery | Las Vegas | Veterinary Stem Cell Therapy | TPLO
veterinary-stemcell.com 702-250-1888 What is stem cell therapy? Stem cells are the body #39;s repair cells. They have the ability to divide and differentiate into many different types of cells based on where they are needed throughout the body. Stem cells can divide and turn into tissues such as skin, fat, muscle, bone, cartilage, and nerve to name a few. They even possess the ability to replicate into organs such as the heart, liver, intestines, pancreas, etc. Call Dr. Mauer or visit his site today.. Find out if stem cell therapy is right for your pet.
By: Roger Mauer
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February 7th, 2013
Stem Cell Therapy For Your Pet | Las Vegas, Nevada | Dr. Roger A. Mauer DVM – Video
By LizaAVILA
Stem Cell Therapy For Your Pet | Las Vegas, Nevada | Dr. Roger A. Mauer DVM
veterinary-stemcell.com Dr. Mauer is very excited to now be offering Stem Cell Therapy. This innovative and affordable treatment has been making news all over the country. This treatment is completely natural and there are no side effects other than occasional minor swelling at injected joint sites. Most animal owners see results in just days after treatment and their pets benefiting with less or no pain. Stem cells are the body #39;s repair cells. They have the ability to divide and differentiate into many different types of cells based on where they are needed throughout the body. Stem cells can divide and turn into tissues such as skin, fat, muscle, bone, cartilage, and nerve to name a few. They even possess the ability to replicate into organs such as the heart, liver, intestines, pancreas, etc.
By: Roger Mauer
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Stem Cell Therapy For Your Pet | Las Vegas, Nevada | Dr. Roger A. Mauer DVM - Video
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February 7th, 2013
Autism after stem cell therapy – Video
By JoanneRUSSELL25
Autism after stem cell therapy
He is a known case of Autism with history of CIAB, but thereafter parents noticed delayed motor milestones in him along with delayed speech and hyperactivity. So at 2 ½ years, he was diagnosed to have Autism and put on rehabilitation program including Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and speech therapy. Neurologically, he has near normal tone and reflexes. On examination, he has all sensation intact and no motor weakness. He has normal vision, hearing but bisyllable speech. He has social isolation. He has no bowel and bladder control and has bed wetting present. Functionally, he needs supervision in all ADL and wheel chair bound for mobility On FIM scores he scores 62 On ISAA he scores 130 Stem Cell Therapy done at NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute Surana Sethia Hospital Sion-Trombay Rd, Suman Ngr Opp Corporate Park, Chembur, Mumbai -- 71. Tel : 022 - 25283706, 022 - 25281610, Mob : +91 9920 200 400 http://www.neurogen.in http://www.stemcellsmumbai.com
By: neurogenbsi
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Autism after stem cell therapy - Video
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February 6th, 2013
Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury – Video
By JoanneRUSSELL25
Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury
He is a paraplegic has history of fall from height in 1993, leading to fracture D4 and paraplegia with complete bowel bladder loss. He was managed conservatively and has been undergoing rehabilitation since then. Neurologically, he is hypertonic and hyperflexic. On examination: he has sensory loss below T4. He has grade 0 muscle power in bilateral lower extremity and near normal upper extremity. He has no bowel and bladder control and is on condom catheter. He has bilateral knee flexion contracture =10. On ASIA impairment scale he scores #39;A #39;. On investigation: MRI: 6/7/2012: Wedge compression of the D4 vertebral body with a focal area of scarring within the spinal canal involving the arachnoid and the spinal cord at D3-4 level. A large cord syrinx extending cranially upto C4vetebral level with a smaller syrinx extending caudally up to D7 vertebral level. EMG / SSEP: It is suggestive of a severe lesion affecting the posterior column conduction from both lower limbs. There is evidence of predominantly Upper motor neurone lesion affecting the lower limbs. Functionally, he needs assistance in most ADL and wheel chair bound for mobility. Stem Cell Therapy done at NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute Surana Sethia Hospital Sion-Trombay Rd, Suman Ngr Opp Corporate Park, Chembur, Mumbai -- 71. Tel : 022 - 25283706, 022 - 25281610, Mob : +91 9920 200 400 http://www.neurogen.in http://www.stemcellsmumbai.com
By: neurogenbsi
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February 6th, 2013
Stem Cell Patient Treated With Adult Stem Cell Therapy – Video – Video
By daniellenierenberg
Stem Cell Patient Treated With Adult Stem Cell Therapy - Video
Sigrid Zipser, a patient with coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure and no more treatment options seeked out treatment with Vescell stem cell therapy because it was treatment with her own adult stem cells. Producer: VesCell; Creative Commons license: Attribution.
By: rosaryfilms
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February 3rd, 2013
Can pills or genetic engineering make children more moral? – BioEdge
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Can pills or genetic engineering make children more moral? BioEdge One of today's stories reminds me of something that happened in Melbourne a couple of years ago. For a while, just once a month, I used to help out with a soup van for homeless people. One chilly Saturday evening we pulled up at a crisis centre around ... |
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February 3rd, 2013
Cuba – Battling cancer with biotechnology – World Health Organization (press release)
By Dr. Matthew Watson
 World Health Organization (press release) | Cuba – Battling cancer with biotechnology World Health Organization (press release) Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Cuba, after cardiovascular diseases. It is estimated that every year about 21 000 people die of cancer on the island and more than 31 000 cancer cases are newly diagnosed. “Cancer is one of the major ... |
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February 3rd, 2013
Biotechnology Industry Soars in 2012 as FDA Drug Approvals at a 15-Year High – Marketwire (press release)
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Biotechnology Industry Soars in 2012 as FDA Drug Approvals at a 15-Year High Marketwire (press release) NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Feb 1, 2013) - A sharp increase in drug approvals and mergers and acquisitions combined to create a bull market for the Biotechnology Industry in 2012. The iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (IBB), the SPDR S&P Biotech ... |
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February 3rd, 2013
Voices of protest at biotechnology centre – Nature.com
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Voices of protest at biotechnology centre Nature.com There's a whiff of revolt at the New Delhi unit of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB). In a step embarrassing the ICGEB governing board, a majority of senior scientists of the unit have expressed "no confidence ... |
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February 3rd, 2013
Generex Biotechnology Corporation’s CEO Discusses Investor Conference Call … – Seeking Alpha
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Generex Biotechnology Corporation's CEO Discusses Investor Conference Call ... Seeking Alpha Good day, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Generex Biotechnology Conference. At this all participants are in a listen-only mode. Later we will conduct a question-and-answer session and instructions will be given at that time. (Operator Instructions). Generex Points to Potential of Antigen Express Technology Platform beyond Its ...PR Newswire (press release) |
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February 3rd, 2013
BASF to expand its plant biotechnology research into fungal resistance in corn – Farm Industry News (subscription)
By Dr. Matthew Watson
 Farm Industry News (subscription) | BASF to expand its plant biotechnology research into fungal resistance in corn Farm Industry News (subscription) BASF Plant Science is continuing to strengthen its focus on plant biotechnology solutions to achieve higher yield in plants. BASF will expand its fungal resistance research platform by adding corn as a target crop. At the same time, research activities ... |
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February 3rd, 2013
Wyoming senators reap largesse from biotechnology firm Amgen – WyoFile
By Dr. Matthew Watson
WyoFile | Wyoming senators reap largesse from biotechnology firm Amgen WyoFile A California biotechnology company set to benefit by millions of dollars from a last-minute addition to the January 1 “Fiscal Cliff” bill is among the top campaign contributors to Wyoming U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso. Both senators were ... |
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February 3rd, 2013
Worries Over US Economy Drag Market Lower: Chesapeake Energy … – MarketWatch (press release)
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Worries Over US Economy Drag Market Lower: Chesapeake Energy ... MarketWatch (press release) Jan 31, 2013 (ACCESSWIRE-TNW via COMTEX) -- January has been a month of impressive gains for both the Dow and S&P 500 but the rally came to a halt yesterday after a report revealed that the U.S. Economy contracted in the fourth quarter. The major ... |
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February 3rd, 2013
Ocular gene delivery systems using ternary complexes of plasmid DNA, polyethylenimine, and anionic polymers.
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Authors: Kurosaki T, Uematsu M, Shimoda K, Suzuma K, Nakai M, Nakamura T, Kitahara T, Kitaoka T, Sasaki H
Abstract
In this experiment, we developed anionic ternary complexes for effective and safe ocular gene delivery. Ternary complexes were constructed by coating plasmid DNA (pDNA)/polyethylenimine (PEI) complex with anionic polymers such as ?-polyglutamic acid (?-PGA) and chondroitin sulfate (CS). The cationic pDNA/PEI complex showed high gene expression on the human retinal pigment epithelial cell line, ARPE-19 cells. The pDNA/PEI complexes, however, also showed high cytotoxicity on the cells and aggregated strongly in the vitreous body. On the other hand, the anionic ternary complexes showed high gene expression on ARPE-19 cells without such cytotoxicity and aggregation. Afte...
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February 3rd, 2013
Potent growth-inhibitory effect of a dual cancer-specific oncolytic adenovirus expressing apoptin on prostate carcinoma.
By Dr. Matthew Watson
Potent growth-inhibitory effect of a dual cancer-specific oncolytic adenovirus expressing apoptin on prostate carcinoma.
Int J Oncol. 2013 Mar;42(3):1052-60
Authors: Zhang M, Wang J, Li C, Hu N, Wang K, Ji H, He D, Quan C, Li X, Jin N, Li Y
Abstract
Apoptin is a chicken anemia virus-derived, p53-independent, bcl-2-insensitive apoptotic protein with the ability to specifically induce apoptosis in various human tumor cells, but not in normal cells. To explore the use of apoptin in tumor gene therapy, we assessed a recombinant adenovirus expressing the apoptin protein (Ad-hTERTp-E1a-Apoptin) in order to determine its lethal and growth-inhibitory effects on PC-3 and RM-1 cells in vitro and its antitumor effect on solid tumors in vivo....
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February 3rd, 2013
Sacramento Bee: Stem Cell Agency Falling Short on IOM Recommendations
By Dr. Matthew Watson
It's exceedingly rare when the
California stem cell agency makes the front page of any newspaper.
Sacramento Bee this morning carried a lengthy piece on its page one
about the agency and its response to the blue-ribbon Institute of
Medicine (IOM) report.
“Analyst: Stem
cell agency reforms fall short.”
Medicine, more specifically Harold Shapiro, chairman of the panel that
studied California's $3 billion research effort for 17 months at
a cost of $700,000 to the agency.
Shapiro said the stem cell agency is “falling short” in its
response to the IOM recommendation.
"'There certainly is a gap between
what we recommended and what they responded with,' said Shapiro,
president emeritus at Princeton
University. ' I wish they had moved closer to our
recommendations.'"
board that has been plagued by the appearance of conflicts of
interest, cronyism and sluggishness in getting stem-cell products to
market.”
Thomas, chairman of the stem cell agency, who said some of the IOM
recommendations would take legislative action. But Thomas said that
was “out of the question.”
“The process would take years, he
said. The first opportunity to get on the ballot, for instance, would
be in the fall of 2014.”
grants in less than four years.
article in years about the agency in the Bee, the only daily
newspaper in the state's capital. She reviewed a bit of the history
of the agency and concerns about conflicts of interest. She
concluded,
“Shapiro said he stands firmly behind
his committee's report.
"'I think our recommendations sit
together and interrelate to each other well – and should have been
moved along as quickly as possible,' Shapiro said.
"'It might have been helpful if
they indicated to us what they were willing to do and what they
weren't,' he said."
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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February 3rd, 2013
Hyping the Economic Impact of the California Stem Cell Agency
By Dr. Matthew Watson
The $3 billion California stem cell agency today served up a warmed-over version of a study that would have the
public believe that the research program has had a major economic
impact on the state.
August by a firm that was hired under an RFP in 2010 that said it must execute "a vibrant and aggressive strategy to support the goals and initiatives of CIRM.”
original study but contends the report is “independent” of CIRM.
today, the latest version of the study by Jose Alberro of the
Berkeley Research Group claims creation of 38,000 “job years” and
$286 million in “new tax revenue” from the award of $1.5 billion. Those awards actually cost something in the neighborhood of $3 billion, given that state taxpayers must pay interest the borrowed funds that finance the agency.
blue-ribbon report on the stem cell agency carried remarkably different
information than the economic figures reported today. The institute's study was also financed by CIRM but at a cost of
$700,000. The report said,
“In the short term, CIRM’s
expenditures are supporting approximately 3,400 jobs and their
innovative efforts have also attracted substantial additional private
and institutional resources to this research arena in California
CIRM’s long-term impact on such critical aspects of the California
economy as state tax revenues and health care costs beyond the
shorter-term and temporary impact of its direct expenditures cannot
be reliably estimated at this point in CIRM’s history."
“No doubt exists that the stem cell
spending has had a beneficial economic impact. But whether it has had
a 'significant' impact on the California economy is in the eye of the
beholder. The state's economy runs to something like $1.7 trillion a
year. If California were a nation, it would rank among one of the
larger economies in the world. The workforce totals around 18
million, making 25,000 jobs statistically less than a hiccup. Keep in
mind as well that CIRM, until 2009, paid the interest on its
borrowing with more borrowed funds, all of which adds to the total
cost of the borrowing, which is about $3 billion on top of the $3
billion CIRM is handing out.”
the stem cell agency would seem to be inviting assessment of its
efforts as an industrial development enterprise, which involve
criteria significantly different than that of a research enterprise.
A few years ago, we asked the agency's then Chairman Robert Klein
whether he wanted to have CIRM assessed as industrial development
effort. His quick response was a very emphatic no. Klein nonetheless
frequently touted the figures produced under the contract with the
agency.
likely to be cited as the agency begins a road trip around the state
to meet with newspaper editorial boards to trumpet CIRM's reponse to
the Institute of Medicine study.
report. We have asked CIRM for a copy of the contract with the group
that prepared it. We will carry it when we receive it.
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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February 3rd, 2013
Los Angeles Times Columnist: Stem Cell Agency Still Saddled with Conflict of Interest Problems
By Dr. Matthew Watson
The governing board of the $3 billion
California stem cell agency will remain dominated by “special
interests” even with the adoption of a plan last week responding to
the far-reaching recommendations of a blue-ribbon Institute of
Medicine (IOM) study, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times said today.
writer and author, wrote that IOM study showed the agency “the path
to cleansing itself of its aura of connivance and influence trading.
That the board can't even bring itself to place the proposals before
the voters or their elected representatives only shows how much money
it's willing to waste to keep living in its own little world.”
Harold Shapiro, who chaired 17-month IOM study, which was
commissioned by CIRM, and Jonathan Thomas, the chairman of CIRM and
who drew up the response.
that the CIRM board members were saddled with 'almost unavoidable
conflicts of interest, whether actual or perceived.'” He continued,
“That's because by law, 23 of the 29
members must be representatives of California institutions eligible
for CIRM grants or of disease advocacy groups with their own interest
in steering money toward their particular concerns.
“As a remedy, the panel proposed
eliminating some board slots reserved for grant-receiving
institutions by Proposition
71, the 2004 initiative that created the agency. The idea
was to fill those slots with truly independent members free of any
stake in CIRM funding, even indirectly.”
Hiltzik wrote,
"Thomas told me his proposal dealt
with even perceived conflicts of interest on the board in such
"definitive fashion" that it won't be necessary to bother
the Legislature, much less the voters, with such big changes as
remaking the board with a majority of independent members. He pointed
out, not without some pride, that one board member called his
proposed changes 'draconian.'"
Hiltzik had some praise for Thomas.
“Let's stipulate that Thomas has, in
CIRM terms, moved a mountain by jostling the board even this far.
Since its inception, the board has set records for arrogance. That's
a direct legacy from Proposition 71, which exempted the stem cell
program, uniquely among California government bodies, from any
practical oversight by the Legislature or elected officials.”
“Shapiro told me from his Princeton
office that Thomas' proposals were 'a significant step in the right
direction, which at least indicates that they haven't ignored the
report.' But he doesn't share Thomas' view that voluntary recusals
solve the conflict of interest problem. That can be done, Shapiro
said, only by replacing stake-holding board members with
independents.
"'The more you can reduce the
inherent conflicts, the better off everyone is going to be,' he said.
The board will 'have to go further over time, in my view.'"
“The Shapiro panel said it didn't
find any instances of inappropriate behavior by board members or
specific conflicts, but there are two reasons for that: It didn't
search for any, and Proposition 71 defined certain conflicts out of
existence. The measure states that it's no conflict for a board
member to also be an officer of an academic institution or private
corporation that might be applying for grants.“One of the CIRM board's enduring
self-delusions is that its conflicts of interest are purely a matter
of 'perception.' But there have been documented instances
of favoritism shown to well-connected grant or loan applicants, and
at least one overt attempt by a board member to overturn a rejection
of his institution's project. So much of the board's discussion takes
place behind closed doors or informally that the opportunities for
mutual back scratching are incalculable.
“Thomas' 'draconian' proposals won't
change this state of affairs. Special interests will still dominate
the board. Will barring 13 members from voting on grants while giving
them full rein to participate in discussions really eradicate even
the perception of conflicts? You'd have to be terminally naive to
think so.”
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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February 3rd, 2013
Stem Cell Agency Plan Falls Far Short of Solving IOM Concerns
By Dr. Matthew Watson
The governing board of the $3 billion
California stem cell agency last week fell far short of complying
with the recommendations of a blue-ribbon Institute of Medicine (IOM) study
that the agency itself commissioned to improve its performance.
with conflicts of interest at the eight-year-old agency, which board members
reluctantly recognized on Wednesday as a perception problem. Under the plan approved last week, 13 of the 29 members of the board would not be allowed to vote on any awards. They are members tied to institutions that benefit from funding. Three other board members linked to those beneficiary
institutions, however, would still be allowed to vote on grants other than
those to their institutions. .
structural issues involving conflicts of interest that are built into
the board as the result of Prop. 71, the ballot measure that created the research
effort in 2004. The 29-member board was constituted in such a way as
to give nearly all institutions that could benefit a seat at the
table where the money is handed out. It is as if the state's Public
Utility Commission, which sets utility rates, were dominated by
executives of the utility companies.
cell board are barred from voting on grants to their institutions. However, the board still determines the game and the rules. The board approves the
specific areas of research for funding, approves plans for individual
RFAS, sets the rules for the grants and loans and enforces compliance
through CIRM staff.
changes that it could enact on its own. Many of the IOM
recommendations, including a new majority of independent members,
would require legislative action, which opens the agency to a wider
range of changes than even the IOM recommended. That is not a prospect the agency relishes. Nonetheless,
how well the board complies with the IOM recommendations is likely to
be critical to its plans to raise funds to continue its operations
beyond 2017, when the taxpayer cash runs out for new grants.
More details may emerge between now the next CIRM board meeting in
the San Francisco Bay Area March 19, when the board is schedule to finalize its IOM plan.
of the Board and Working Groups.
restructure the board to have a majority of independent members,
without increasing the size of the board. It should include
representatives of the diverse constituencies with interests in stem
cell research, but no institution or organization should be
guaranteed a seat on the board. Consideration should be given to
adding members from the business community....The chair and other
ICOC members should be prohibited from serving on the working groups.
During the reconstitution of the working groups, the current level of
representation of disease advocates should be maintained, such board
members being replaced with other disease advocates who are not board
members.”
rejection of this recommendation. The CIRM board does not support
creation of a new majority of independent members, which would mean
some current members would lose their seats if the board were not
increased beyond 29 members. No members will be added from industry.
Board members will continue to serve on the grant review panel and
other groups, contrary to IOM recommendations. In the case of grant
reviews, however, they would no longer vote in the closed door
sessions. The board has no plans to add patient advocates who are not
board members to working groups, including the grant review panel.
The University of California will continue to have five guaranteed
seats on the board. No independent members currently sit on the
board.
Definitions and Policies.
of conflict of interest to recognize conflicts arising from
nonfinancial interests, such as the potential for conflict arising
from an individual’s interest in a specific disease, and should
reassess its policies for managing conflict of interest in light of
this broader definition.”
nonfinancial conflicts of interest. Several board members expressed
strong opposition to such an effort. Sixteen persons who sit on the
board have ties to institutions that receive CIRM funds. Currently
individual board members cannot vote on applications from their
institutions. To avoid the appearance of conflicts of interest, the
Thomas plan would have the 13 members directly appointed from
beneficiary institutions voluntarily abstain from voting on any grant
applications. Apparently not affected under the Thomas plan would be
three other board members who are appointed as patient advocates. Two
of them are employed by beneficiary institutions. The third is
chairwoman of the UC Board of Regents. All of the board members would
continue to vote on plans for all rounds of grants, including
determination of some of the specifics of the ensuing RFAs.
Funding Process.
review and funding process to separate oversight and strategic
planning from day-to-day operations. The ICOC (the agency's governing
board) should remain responsible for oversight and articulation of an
overall strategic plan. However, grant management, funding
recommendations, and grant administration should be the
responsibility of the CIRM scientific staff, reporting to the
president. This restructuring would help mitigate concerns related to
conflicts of interest and would also put the review and funding
process in the hands of those best equipped to make those decisions.”
serve on the grant review group would not vote on applications during
the grant review sessions. They would be limited to voting at public
board meetings. They would lead discussion of non-scientific
considerations for approval of applications during the public
sessions. Currently that occurs during the closed door review.
mechanism for public appeals of negative grant reviews.
behind closed doors. Currently extraordinary petitions are handled in
public board meetings, sometimes leading to lengthy, emotional
sessions with presentations by patient advocates. The public in
general, including grant applicants, continues to have the right
under state law to address the board on grant applications or any
other matter they wish.
planning, oversee financial performance and legal compliance, assess
the performance of the president and the board, and develop a plan
for transitioning CIRM to sustainability. The board should oversee
senior management but should not be involved in day-to-day
should delegate day-to-day management responsibilities to the
president. Each of the three working groups should report to
management rather than to the ICOC.”
differ significantly from current operations, which reflect the
troubling dual executive arrangement involving the chairman and
president that was created by Prop. 71, the ballot measure that
created CIRM. The existing arrangement is also a hangover from the
days of the agency's first chairman, Robert Klein, and has been an
obstacle in previous recruitment efforts for a president of the
agency. The Thomas plan does eliminate a dual reporting arrangement
for the chief financial officer, a position that has been vacant
since last summer. Thomas indicated last fall that the position would
not be filled. Both the chairman of the IOM study panel and the
California state controller's office both say more needs to be done
to separate operations from oversight.
Key Aspects of CIRM Organization.
the Scientific Advisory Board, the Standards Working Group, and the
Grants Working Group should be enhanced to leverage industry’s
expertise and resources in product development, manufacturing, and
regulatory approval in support of the ultimate goal of bringing
therapies to patients.”
involvement “where appropriate.” However, industry has complained
for years about this problem, and some board members as well. But
little has been done to deal with the problem. Recently, the agency
has taken some steps to engage industry, but the IOM was aware of
those when it made its recommendation for closer cooperation.
Board.
Scientific Advisory Board comprising individuals with expertise in
the scientific, clinical, ethical, industry, and regulatory aspects
of stem cell biology and cell-based therapies.” Members of this
board would be from out of state and replace existing advisory
boards. They would be appointed by and report to president.
of the a new board is under discussion, but generally indicated it
would go along this proposal. Not specifically addressed was
abolition of other advisory groups.
in consultation with current and future partners, including sources
of funding.
in consultation with current and future partners, including sources
of funding.
working on details of a plan.
Intellectual Property Policies in the Sustainability Platform.
continued impact of CIRM’s many achievements..., CIRM should
propose regulations that specify who will have the power and
authority to assert and enforce in the future rights retained by the
state in CIRM-funded intellectual property.”
Property Policies with Policies of Bayh-Dole Act.
cell research become available and as the field of regenerative
medicine advances from the laboratory to the clinic, the ICOC should
reconsider whether its goal of developing cures would be better
served by harmonizing CIRM’s IP policies wherever possible with the
more familiar policies of the Bayh-Dole Act.”
will review the policies and make recommendations.
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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February 3rd, 2013
CIRM’s Thomas: Conflicts ‘Put to Bed’ at Stem Cell Agency
By Dr. Matthew Watson
The chairman of the $3 billion
California stem cell agency, Jonathan Thomas, today hailed board
action last week as putting “to bed once and for all” questions
about financial conflicts of interest by members of the agency's
governing board.
pointed to board approval of a new policy that would bar 13 of the 29
members of the governing board from voting on any grants whatsoever.
The 13 are the members who are “appointed from an institution that
is eligible to receive money.” Three other board members have ties
to institutions that receive money. Two are employees of the institutions and one is the
chair of the University of California board of regents, Sherry
Lansing. All three are appointed as patient advocate members of the
board. Currently all 16 are barred individually from voting on grants
to their institutions, but they can vote for awards to other
institutions.
the governing board, which approved it on a 23-0 vote with one
abstention. Thomas advanced the proposal in response to the
recommendations of a 17-month study by the Institute of Medicine(IOM).
CIRM paid $700,000 for the blue-ribbon report, hoping that it would
serve as the basis for continued financing of the agency beyond 2017,
when funds for new grants run out.
included creation of a majority of independent members on the board,
which would mean some current members of the board would lose their
seats. No institutions would be guaranteed seats on the board.
Currently five members are appointed from the University of
California. The Thomas plan does not deal with those recommendations.
of the board have ties to institutions that receive funds from CIRM.
Compilations by the California Stem Cell Report show that about 90
percent of the $1.7 billion that the board has awarded has gone to
institutions linked to directors.
“endorsed a framework of proposals that would dramatically change
the way the board works, and directly addresses the concerns and
recommendations of the IOM, in particular their feeling that the way
our Board works could create a perception of conflict of interest.”
13 board members, Thomas wrote,
“It was not an easy change to propose
and certainly not an easy one for our board members to approve. They
all care deeply about our mission and devote a great deal of thought,
time and energy to helping us do our work. So for 13 of them to agree
to abstain from a key aspect of their work was difficult to say the
least. And yet they did it because they felt it was important for the
overall goal of the agency.”
“So why did we take this approach?
It's simple. We want people to focus on the great work we do, on the
groundbreaking research we fund, and the impact we are having on the
field of regenerative medicine not just in California but throughout
the U.S. and around the world. As long as there are perceptions of
conflict of interest hanging over the Board, this will continue to be
difficult.”
“This puts the economic conflicts
issue to bed once and for all.”
Source:Stem Cell Therapy
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February 3rd, 2013