Stem Cell Reality Check

A big confab of Big Biotech bigwigs has resulted in some candor and a proper warning about the prospect of CURES! CURES! CURES! From the story:

In an elegant hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean, more than 30 of the world’s leading stem cell researchers gathered on Wednesday to strategize on the most effective means of developing novel stem cell medical treatments, while keeping public expectations in line with the actual state of scientific research...”One has to be realistic. Cures take a very, very long time,” [Dr. George] Daley said.

Too bad realism and accuracy weren’t a high priority during the Proposition 71 campaign, and still isn’t for the Amendment 2/Stowers propagandists in Missouri. That has led to a backlash, I think. Slowly, it may be dawning on the public that they were had.

This warning against medical tourism, however, is very apt and important:

“One has to be very suspicious if a patient is asked to fly to a distant location and pay tens of thousands of dollars (for treatment). This is an invitation for exploitation.” These unproven treatments, dozens of which are offered online, could also pose medical hazards, Daley said.

Supposedly, the organization will create new guidelines:

The panelists devoted much of their discussion to guidelines the International Society for Stem Cell Research will issue later this year for identifying or developing credible stem cell research initiatives.

“The guidelines are not to prevent the development of stem cell therapy,” Lindvall added. “They’re actually to help and guide those that are working in a serious way.”

I can hardly wait. As I wrote in the Weekly Standard, the last time the Society issued “ethical” guidelines, it approved creating embryos for use in research—both natural and cloned—and opened the door so wide to Brave New World, there were few restrictions with any teeth.