Boosted by celebrity endorsements and a controversial research program, clinics are peddling stem cell autism treatments questioned by experts

A researcher holds a box containing vials of human embryonic Stem Cell cultures from the freezer at the Burnham Institute on November 3, 2004 in La Jolla, California. Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images From Central America to Ukraine, unlicensed clinics are offering stem cell therapies as a treatment for autism.  Stem cells used mainly to treat blood disease. Their effectiveness on autism is unproven and the FDA has not licensed their use for the condition. One prominent clinic providing such tre...
Tags: Facebook, Home Depot, UK, Hollywood, Science, Instagram, US, Trends, Ukraine, Cnn, Autism, News UK, Stem Cells, Josh Brolin, Fda, Mel Gibson

Paul Knoepfler: What Are The Unintended Consequences Of Human Gene Editing?

New gene editing tools hold a great deal of promise, but biologist Paul Knoepfler says we should be cautious. He warns altering DNA can have dire consequences, including a new form of eugenics.(Image credit: TED)
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The ethical dilemma of designer babies

Creating genetically modified people is no longer a science fiction fantasy; it’s a likely future scenario. Biologist Paul Knoepfler estimates that within fifteen years, scientists could use the gene editing technology CRISPR to make certain “upgrades” to human embryos — from altering physical appearances to eliminating the risk of auto-immune diseases. In this thought-provoking talk, Knoepfler readies us for the coming designer baby revolution and its very personal, and unforeseeable, consequen...
Tags: Future, Paul Knoepfler

The ethical dilemma of designer babies | Paul Knoepfler

Creating genetically modified people is no longer a science fiction fantasy; it's a likely future scenario. Biologist Paul Knoepfler estimates that within fifteen years, scientists could use the gene editing technology CRISPR to make certain "upgrades" to human embryos -- from altering physical appearances to eliminating the risk of auto-immune diseases. In this thought-provoking talk, Knoepfler readies us for the coming designer baby revolution and its very personal, and unforeseeable, conseque...
Tags: Higher Education, Speaking, Paul Knoepfler

Surprising number of businesses selling unapproved stem cell 'treatments' in the US

At least 351 companies across the United States are marketing unapproved stem cell procedures at 570 individual clinics. Such businesses advertise 'stem cell' interventions for orthopedic injuries, neurological disorders, cardiac diseases, immunological conditions, pulmonary disorders, injured spinal cords, and cosmetic indications. In Cell Stem Cell on June 30, bioethicist Leigh Turner and stem cell researcher Paul Knoepfler present an analysis of US businesses engaged in 'direct-to-consumer' ...
Tags: US, United States, Paul Knoepfler, Leigh Turner

GMO Sapiens: Human Genetic Modification on the Table

I've written a new book on human genetic modification and designer babies. This is my second book as the first one was Stem Cells: An Insider's Guide, which is currently the top stem cell book on Amazon. The new book is called GMO Sapiens: The Life-Changing Science of Designer Babies. You can get a copy here at Amazon or over here at my publisher's site. The cover is shown at right. The title was chosen as a portmanteau (or mashup) of GMO and Homo sapiens. Why write a book on human genetic mo...
Tags: Amazon, UK, Gmo, Huffington Post, Steven Pinker, US National Academy of Sciences, Paul Knoepfler, George Church

New CRISPR technology can be used to make designer babies

How should we handle the new CRISPR technology that can both advance science and medicine, but also be used to make designer babies? Scientist and author Paul Knoepfler tackles this and other difficult questions related to this revolutionary technology in his new book, GMO Sapiens: The Life-Changing Science of Designer Babies, targeted at a broad, lay audience.
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