US treats first patient with human embryonic stem cells

Washington: US doctors have begun treating
the first patient with embryonic stem cells as part of the
first human study of the controversial treatment authorised by
the government, the Geron Corporation said today.

The patient was enrolled at a spinal cord and brain
injury rehabilitation hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, where
Geron began clinical trials to assess the safety and
tolerability of their GRNOPC1 human embryonic stem cells in
treating spinal injuries.

"Initiating the GRNOPC1 clinical trial is a milestone for
the field of human embryonic stem cell-based therapies," said
Thomas Okarma, Geron`s president and CEO.

PTI