Adult Stem Cell Legality in the U.S.

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sp1d3rdan

New member
Darin,

I know this is not specifically related to Pulmonary section but it relates to all stem cell injections. Maybe we can create a new Section that is for all Stem Cell therapy.

I've done a lot of research on the legality of stem cells in the U.S. and apparently it IS legal to process and sort out your own Adult stem cells and have them injected back into your body via IV or injections. This is the same as if you were to have reconstructive surgery where they remove bone and put it in another part of your body.

However once the stem cells have been altered or multiplied I think that it is then not legal yet. Also because of lack of enough research, doctor's will rarely do it due to potential liability.

I found a doctor that has already done adult (autologous) stem cell injections in the U.S. for spinal fusion. These come from your own bone marrow or fat. Here is the link:

http://www.autologousadultstemcells.org/blogs.html

I believe that adult stem cell injections are likely going to be used by professional athletes within 3 to 5 years to treat orthopedic injuries. From there I think it will be proven safe and other diseases will follow very very quickly. What the Stem Cell pioneers have done was very bold and I commend them for that. Who knows for sure how long it will be before it reaches the masses here in the U.S.

It is already common practice to treat tendon injuries in horses.

http://www.vet-stem.com/
 
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barbara

Pioneer Founding member
There is another doctor in Nevada who is also doing it. Currently there is a petition that is being circulated asking that the Nevada legislature make it legal for him to perform stem cell therapy. I received this from one of our members in a personal e-mail. Hopefully, she will see this and post it on your new thread. Thank you.
 
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Dolores

Pioneer Founding member
I know they use adult stem cells in cancer patients in the United States. why can't they use it for other diseases?
 
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kathy

Pioneer Member
That's a good question Dolores. I think the one's that are pushing for anything are only wanting the embryos passed and if it dosen't then they don't want any of it to be used.

There was an article here while back and I wish I had bookmarked it. A Doctor stated (not in these exact words but....) that yes there was a cure for COPD and just about any other disease, using umbilical cord Stem Cells, Adult and bone marrow Stem Cells, but nothing would be done until the "patients themselves" started making noise.

Could you see us now picketing with a sign in hand and a hose in the nose, marching in front of the White House...LOL But seriously I think we all need to start somewhere, write letters, speak out, start petitions or something.

Kathy
 
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kygal

New member
Petitions and other things

Hi Kathy and all who have posted here,

I agree with you 100% on all you have stated about the patients needing to be the ones who need to make the noise. That, or their caregivers. I'm in Canada (Ontario) but am an American citizen but am married to a wonderful Canuck who happens to have VERY severe COPD. One specialist he saw several months ago stated that my husband's best chance was stem cell treatment or someone being able to grow new lungs. I desperately want to see this therapy in both the U.S. and Canada...but I'm really afraid that the drug companies won't allow this. Heaven forbid they might lose a little bit of money.

Sorry, I'm on a war path today and am just put out with anyone and anything that is wanting to jeopardize my husband's health and that's been a lot of fingers in the pie lately.

Mary
 
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kathy

Pioneer Member
Dear Mary,

I know how you feel about others putting us in jeopardy. I've been reading quit a few Stem Cell articles today, seems President Bush has been telling them to use the other Stem Cells instead of the embryo's. None came out and said he'd pass the funding increase if they'd agree not to use embryo's, but I don't think the researchers are going to give into his request and he will not even concider it if they don't.

Not only will medicine companies lose money if there is a cure, but the researchers will lose Federal Funds big time if they come out and say there already is a cure!! They are going to keep playing with mice and rats and telling the FDA, that they need more time and funding to play with. In the mean time those of us who can't get treratment (afford to) continue to get sicker or die. I'm not to cheerie today either Mary after reading what all I have.

Go read Shazza's and Felica's posts. They have some good ideas on fundraaising to help get treatment funds. I talked with Felica on the phone today and she's such a sweetheart. She has a heavy load, but a big heart at wanting to help others in anyway she can. So does Shazza.

Thanks to Darin, we have this forum. Sometimes we will cry together, sometimes we will laugh together and sometimes we will mourn together. But at least we are together and we can help push for whatever we need to.

It really makes my day when I hear a fantastic update from one of the Pioneers that have had thier treatments already, gives me hope again.

Blessings, Kathy
 
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barbara

Pioneer Founding member
Barbara's turn to spout off

What a great 11 week anniversary present you all have given me with all these great posts. I certainly think the public needs an eye opener as to all the political shenanigans that are going on while people are suffering. I am always on my soap box about it and I do blame politics and the big drug companies and a host of others who want to stand in the way of something so BIG, so HUGE that it could change the way medicine is practiced. There are a few brave souls out there starting companies, doing research and getting treatment. This forum has taken off more than I ever expected in such a short time and that is because there is great interest in what is being said here. You can "cruise" the forum without registering and believe me, that happens at all hours of the day and night. I get on and notice 4 guests at 1 am or 2 at 11am. It is very interesting. There is a kindly doctor in one of the articles that is planning to start a foundation so that patients that cannot afford treatment can get some help. This is the kind of thing that will happen. Instead of saying, "I can't afford it", we need to change our thinking to "How am I going to afford this?" It can be done. Do not let yourself take no for an answer. The more we are heard from, the more attention we will receive and who knows where that could lead. Low cost loans maybe? Good samaritans, clinicals. I for one, am not going to waste my time writing letters to political leaders. While they play their little games, people are suffering. Media attention is good as long as it is accurate. I have heard so many accounts where someone is quoted as saying something about stem cells. They never say what kind of stem cells. We have received hate mail because people think we are out slaughtering babies. No one is educating these people and that is what one of my goals is. I am not taking a stance for or against embryonic cells. That is a personal decision. I am saying that there are stem cell therapies that have nothing to do with embryonic cells and for Washington and the media to not differentiate and pretend that their non action is all due to a moral debate is utter nonsense. I never in a million years thought I would be doing what I am doing today. The whole journey is pretty incredible. I hope each and everyone of you that wants to go on this journey will be given the opportunity.
 
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sp1d3rdan

New member
Barbara,

Yes it is frustrating that many doctors are saying it is way too early to be treating human disease with stem cells and that more testing needs to be done. Adult stem cells have been tested in thousands of animals and humans without any undesireable side-effects. After all a bone-marrow transplant is an adult stem cell transplant which has been used for the last 20 years to treat Leukemia. It's become common now that horses are treated with stem cells yet human beings that are suffering and/or dying are not given the opportunity to use this in our own country.

Having the knowledge of how helpful stem cells are and how little risk they present is useless when the government restricts it's use. I feel bad for all the people that may die from diseases like ALS, COPD, heart failure, etc, that did not have to die.
 
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barbara

Pioneer Founding member
The reality of it all

They don't need to die, but right now they need to get the treatment outside the U.S. and pay for it themselves. This is very sad as it may restrict some people. It shouldn't, but it might. When I had my treatment done, a wonderful man with ALS was also having treatment. His church had helped him and they even had another very nice man that accompanied him. It can be done. Good people do join together to do what's right. It happens all the time. Many people who are suffering, however, are downright scared of stem cell therapy. I have seen it myself on many forums. I didn't have that attitude. Call me crazy or whatever, I made up my mind that what I was doing wasn't living and I went for it. I think you will see the same attitude with the other members on this forum who have had treatment. Education is important and also making sure that the company or doctor you select is reliable and not just making false promises. Our group put a lot of time and effort into researching options and learning as much as we could. I feel that it paid off and now we are trying to let others know that stem cell therapy is a reality.
 
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kathy

Pioneer Member
Has anyone found anything on Stem Cell restrictions here in the US? Laws or what have you.

Are they actually restricted from being used or just money for the research restricted.

If it's just the research issue, what's the hold up on doctors using other than embryonic stemcells on patients now? Instead of setting up clinics outside the USA.

This has confussed me, because I read that in some states they are already using bone marrow,adult and cord cells on patients with cancer and other ailments. But then I hear it's against the law, so that's why it's done outside the US.

Can someone enlighten us here? .....thanks, Kathy
 
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kathy

Pioneer Member
Oh yes!!..:D....Congratulations Barbara and Jeannine on your 11th week anniverary, you two keep us going here ya know. thanks, Kathy
 
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sp1d3rdan

New member
What's taking so long

Kathy,

I think a big part of the reason that the U.S. lags so far behind in medical advances is because of liability. Doctor's in this country are sued for doing non-standard treatments for diseases. Even diseases that have no treatment options.

While this often protects people from quacks, it also prevents doctors from moving ahead with novel treatments such as stem cells. A mistake with stem cells could easily end a doctor's career.

Also Stem Cells are not easy to obtain. So far there are a few new devices that can take bone marrow or fat and sort out stem cells and these are very expensive. Umbilical cord blood and the like are not easy to come by for the average doctor.
 
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Jeannine

Pioneer Founding member
I've often wondered how patients can sue doctors when patients sign a release form prior to having any surgery performed.

The release form outlines the possible complications and dangers involved so why does our legal system allow so many malpractice suits to be filed?

The reason why umbilical cord and adult stem cells can't be used for many diseases at this time is because the FDA must approve the clinical studies and it's my understanding that it costs tens of millions of dollars to get approval by the FDA.
 
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kathy

Pioneer Member
Doesn't seem like people should be able to sue after signing the forms, but the legal system always seem to find loop holes.

You mean to say that if the FDA is paid enough, then they might approve something!!??...that's sad.
 
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sp1d3rdan

New member
Everyone seems to believe that Stem Cells rebuilds the lung tissue however from information I've gathered it is more likely building new blood vessels to dying or damaged lung tissue.

I guess it really doesn't matter how it works but I thought I'd put in my 2 cents. :)

The reason I say this is that in heart failure studies in humans they found new blood vessel formation the biggest reason the heart was more healthy. Either way it is proven to help improve lung and heart function and several other diseases.
 
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