Company Claims First Patient Treated With Embryonic Stem Cells, Not The Case

Company Claims First Patient Treated With Embryonic Stem Cells, Not The Case: Family Research Council fellow Dr. David Prentice told LifeNews.com the situation is 'a bit confusing' but the cells are not truly human embryonic stem cells but ones that 'are directly derived from embryonic stem cells, and rely on embryonic stem cells.' Prentice accused Geron of falsely promoting its work as embryonic stem cell trials when derivatives are used instead.

'Geron is irresponsibly trying to do science by press release, publicizing that they have begun their human experiment by injecting a patient with potentially dangerous cells made from embryonic stem cells,' he said. 'Their press hype will help their stock price, but not science and not patients. We hope the patients don't suffer any ill effects, but it will be years before there is hard evidence about safety or effectiveness,' Prentice continued.

Editor: To clarify, deriving stem cells from embryos kills the embryos.