Stem Cell therapy using cells derived from human embryonic stem cells is going to be extraordinary milestone in the field of medicines. US government has finally cleared clinical trial of a treatment for spinal cord injury using stems cells from human embryo. What is intriguing though is the timing of the clearance which not only comes after a delay of months but also after President Obama resumed office.

Geron, the biotechnology company which has been involved in the stem cell research for years to develop what is now known as ‘Regenerative Medicine’ had applied to Food and Drug Administration for clearance to conduct first human trial in last March but was denied on the grounds of lack of data. Bush administration had reservations about embryonic stem cells because of use and creation of cells implied destruction of human embryos.

Stem cell therapy using cells from adults and fetuses is already in trial stage. But embryonic cells show more versatility and can grow in to any cells and can form healthy tissues to replace non-functioning cells, tissues which can revolutionize treatment of diabetes, heart attacks, spinal cord injury and other fatal diseases.

Via International Herald Tribune