U.S. Army Gives $700,000 to Stem Cell Therapy Research
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
International biopharmaceutical company NeoStem announced Monday it was awarded a $700,000 contract by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, to advance adult stem cell therapies in treating traumatic wounds.The contract was to evaluate the use of topically applied bone marrow-derived adult mesenchymal stem cells for rapid wound healing.Robin Smith, board chairman and chief executive officer of NeoStem, said the company was thrilled to have the U.S. government's support to advance its technology and honored to become part of the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center’s regenerative medicine portfolio."It is our goal with this important project to leverage adult stem cell technology to help our soldiers avoid amputations and immobilization from injuries that they may sustain while fighting for our country," Smith said."Wound healing could represent just the beginning of more collaborative projects involving other clinical indications, such as spinal cord injuries and retinal damage, both of which affect American warriors who serve our country in the global war on terrorism," he added.
The US Army recognizes that the future of stem cell research lies in Adult stem cells and NOT embryonic stem cells. I am excited to hear that this kind of research is being done because when I am a physician taking care of our military men and women, I hope that I can better treat their injuries with this type of technology. This is just one more piece of evidence of why funding for embryonic stem cells should be shifted entirely to adult stem cells.
You offer quite a non sequitur with this argument. A very, very small grant is given for one type of stem cell research, and suddenly the "US Army recognizes that the future of stem cell research lies in Adult stem cells and NOT embryonic stem cells?" No way. Has the NIH stopped funding embryonic stem cell research? Has the US government (of which, unless I'm mistaken, the Army is a part of) stopped the funding of embryonic stem cell research?
ReplyDeleteNo, they haven't. What you have here is a case of "fund both, see what works." Just because someone in the government gives a grant to fund solar energy doesn't mean that they have given up on the pursuit of wind power.
Time to sharpen your critical thinking skills, Mr. Brian.
Just for a comparison: Embryonic stem cell research, $700,000.
ReplyDeleteEndangered Mouse: $30,000,000
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/feb/12/earmark-less-bill-gives-pelosis-mouse-cookie/
In regards to research in the United States Army, a quick search reveals that the majority of new research in the field of stem cells is focused on adult stem cells. How congress earmarks funds or the NIH distribute their funds is separate from the DOD's decisions. In this case it appears the DOD is focused mainly on adult stem cells, since those are the only type of stem cells that have any success in the clinical setting.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49610
Also, check out this link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1293361/Scientists-develop-fake-genetically-engineered-blood-use-battlefield.html
In the end, the funding for adult stem cell research from the Army is going to be a pretty significant number.
Like I said before, I would say the Army knows where the future of stem cell research lies.