Embryonic stem cell “desperately” need a success

So says Advanced Cell Technology scientific director Robert Lanza while promoting his company’s attempt to get the FDA to approve another clinical trial using cells created from embryonic stem cells. This clinical trial would attempt to treat blindness. ACT’s other embryonic stem cell clinical trial (which plans on testing the safety of cells in paralyzed patients) has been postponed another year because cysts were discovered at the injection sites during animal studies.

"It has been over a decade since human embryonic stem cells were first discovered. The field desperately needs a big clinical success," Lanza said.