Human embryonic stem cells were differentiated into cells of the pancreas (blue). These cells give rise to insulin-producing cells (red). When implanted into mice, the stem cell-derived pancreatic cells effectively replace the insulin lost in type 1 diabetes. San Diego-based ViaCyte is developing an implantable artificial pancreas derived from human embryonic stem cells. Its work is funded in part by grants from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. San Diego's ViaCyte has received $20 million from a drug company to advance its stem cell-based therapy for type 1 diabetes into clinical trials. ViaCyte's agreement with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a Johnson & Johnson company, comes days after the company announced receiving the go-ahead from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to begin clinical trials. The agreement also includes the company's investment fund, Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation. ViaCyte's experimental product, VC-01, is derived from human embryonic stem cells. These cells are matured into cells that regulate blood sugar levels. These includes cells that make insulin, which lowers blood sugar, in addition to cells that make glucagon, which raises blood sugar levels. It's believed that recreating this natural complement of hormones will be more effective than administering insulin alone. The cells are encapsulated … Continue reading →

Because the ALS Association supports stem-cell research. The Ice Bucket Challenge has been the biggest viral-charity sensation of the year, and maybe ever reaching its cold, wet arms all the way to George W. Bush and Anna Wintour, and raising millions of dollars for ALS research along with providing an immaculate blooper reel. But one group is not pleased by all your Facebook videos: anti-abortion activists, who are mad that the ALS Association gives money to a group that supports stem-cell research. "Attention pro-lifers: be careful where you send your ALS Ice Bucket Challenge donation," blared a headline on LifeNews.com earlier this week. The article explained that the ALS Association, one of the charities receiving ice-bucket donations, gave $500,000 last year to the Northeast ALS Consortium, which in turn had been affiliated with a clinical trial that used "stem cells ... engineered from the spinal cord of a single fetus electively aborted after eight weeks of gestation. The tissue was obtained with the mothers consent." "Of course the fetus, from whom the 'tissue' was taken, did not 'give consent,'" LifeNews.com wrote. "So if you give to the ALS Association your money may end up supporting clinical trials that use aborted … Continue reading →