lmao

What the fuck is this? Seriously ... ?!

You really think the FDA shouldn't regulate stem cell therapy?

This seems like something to keep an eye on, but it certainly doesn't sound too crazy to me.

STEM CELLS are regulated, not bodies. Calm down. Do you really want any old moron injecting people with stems cells? It's actually a wise decision.

Considering that stem cell research has the potential to cure the world's worst problems, i.e heart diseases, cancers, potentially AIDS, I am much more likely to overlook the immoralities of the studies (economically and ethically) than I am with simple drugs that are meant to cure colds in six year olds in a day less than normal.

Ahhhh....yes, we can skirt morality if it benefits you. Assmunch. Pick up a history book - full of examples of jackasses that think just like you killing in the name of good intentions.

Here's a hint moron - you are *going* to die someday, like it or not, so stop seeking immortality through immorality. Doing something you believe is wrong or harmful to others just to add a few years to your life....your life which *will* end - makes you the worst kind of human being.

Interesting.

I think that there is a huge ethical problems when companies can patent the genetic procedures. So you are not allowed to take your own genes and re-use them in your body if the technique you use is protected by a company patent.

This is a similar issue. Athletes can currently extract blood, separate out the red blood cells, and the re-infuse them just before a race - giving them two advantages - when you take blood out you stimulate the body to produce more blood cells and thus there are less older damaged/unhealthy blood cells in their system, and then the re-infusion (of their own cells) gives them a higher than normal amount of oxygen carrying capability.

This would be considered a medical procedure, and the procedure could be patented.
But if the cells being re-introduced are a drug and also subject to FDA approval this means something new... i don't know what.

Obviously stem cells are not red blood cells, but the principle is the same, there just happens to be the potential for many more results from stem cell based therapies.

@Bo_sox, I think it is the potential to cure many issues which is why we SHOULD be concerned. More so than other treatments.

Perhaps, our patent law is totally f*cked up, going well beyond medical stuff. You pose an interesting question about whether I have the right to do something to myself with my own stem cells....I would expect this regulation to have much more to do with commercialization of my stem cells, etc. Bottom line, though , is that stem cells are dangerous things when extracted from the body in a medical procedure with the intention of being reused. The government is looking at regulating *man made* processes, not you, your DNA,etc. That is within their prevue, is it not? Unless you somehow have the ability in your bathroom to extract you stem cells ,mix a cocktail and treat yourself for your disease or whatever. I.e. stem cells treatments are the result of highly complex scientific/medical researchers - why shouldn't the inventors have rights to their discovery, just as with any other medicine?

I.e.patent law - Just look at Apple v Samsjng: Apple wlbs .a a case against Samsung basically because they copies a rectangle from apple (I know- I'm simplifying). Please....I've never mistaken a Samsung device for an Apple device...and Samsung has been winning similar lawsuits AGAINST Apple outside the US. Our patent law is a joke...If the idea that examining the appearance of a competitors product and copying it were a valid reason to sue, win and stop your competition the. We would lots of weird shaped loads of bread in the store. I workshop but six-cubes of pop- or seven triangles of juice, because that cylindrical can would be violating someone's protection. Better yet, how about those four wheeled actors that, amazingly from year to year always look essentially the same. Car maker X STARTS ROUNDING CORNERS on their hit car, and suddenly everyone backhanded corners. Clearly, these are not patentable things...unless you are Apple...

Orathetic - blood doping has been illegal for a long time I believe.

Yes - doing is banned.

Yes - doing is banned.

Hahahaha. You can't escape auto-correct Krellin

doing is banned, was he a multi or a meta-gamer?

Gen Lee, i am aware of the fact that this 'medical technique' is banned in sporting events. Though i somehow doubt it is illegal for medical use.

It is just a simple example of a technique which is not a drug use, but which can have such a positive and measurable effect as to be categorized with drugs by sporting bodies.

It is not a drug, it is not something which can be patented by big-pharam companies, it is much simpler than stem cell type treatments, but they are essentially the same category of thing. Treatments derived from your own body. Techniques which doctors wish to use and do not need to rely upon drugs companies to pay for...

the question is whether the FDA should be the one doing the regulation of these techniques, as opposed to some other medical board which determines which medical procedures are safe.

@ora and others - First, blood doping is not illegal. It is banned in the competitive circuit but mountain climbers do it all thevtime comlletely legally. Second, trademark/patent/copyright proteftion.only applies to profit and production. If you can figure out how to duplicate a process for your own personal use, you may do so without violating the law.

Sorry, meant illegal (banned) for competition.

Draug, i understood the patent monopoly to essential prevent reproduction of technology without licensing.

But i guess this is the point with stem cells, if it is not something which you can do yourself, then a doctor must perform is, and they will effectively be profiting from the procedure - which may be patented as it is a technique.

The example i am using of blood doping is just a simplified similar idea, something which isn't actually a large investment for a private citizen to learn how to do, contrasted with the benefits (especially for climbers, i guess, where they are climbing in a low oxygen environment....)