US Approves 2nd Human Trial of Stem Cells

Mass. company will try to treat progressive blindness
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 22, 2010 7:37 AM CST
US Approves 2nd Human Trial of Stem Cells
In this file photo originally made available by Advanced Cell Technology in 2006, a single cell is removed from a human embryo to be used in generating embryonic stem cells for scientific research.   (AP Photo/Advanced Cell Technology)

The FDA has approved the second stem-cell trial on humans: Advanced Cell Technology will test the effects of stem-cell treatments on 12 patients with Stargardt’s macular dystrophy, a disease that causes progressive blindness, Reuters reports. The currently untreatable disease causes degeneration of eye tissue beginning as early as age 10. With stem cells, “we can generate a virtually unlimited supply” of healthy eye tissue cells, said the chief medical officer at the Massachusetts lab.

The trial could start "as soon as two to three months" from now, he added. Click here for more on the first approved stem cell trial.
(More Advanced Cell Technology Inc. stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X