NCER states position on use of CRISPR/Cas-9

Nebraska Coalition for Ethical Research encourages the continued use of CRISPR/Cas-9 in animal research and in adult human cell cultures as a means toward it’s eventual safe and efficacious use for the correction of disease genes in adult human beings.

NCER agrees with the calls for a self-imposed moratorium and an international meeting on the use of CRISPR/Cas-9 for germline genetic engineering on human embryos or human germ cells.

However, regardless of the outcome of …

A guide to CRISPR, the human gene-editing tool that has scientists excited — and terrified

We are now one step closer to designer babies. Using a technique called CRISPR, geneticists in China recently modified the DNA of nonviable human embryos and published the results in the journal Protein & Cell.

Editing the genetic material of human embryos was a first — and the April 18 publication of the results set off a cascade of awe and controversy.

“While these embryos will not be growing up into genetically modified people,” …

NHS to give volunteers ‘synthetic blood’ made in laboratory within two years

Capture2
as seen in THE INDEPENDENT

  •  SUNDAY 28 JUNE 2015

The first attempt at giving human volunteers “synthetic blood” made in a laboratory for the first time will take place within the next two years, the NHS has announced.

A long-awaited clinical trial of artificial red blood cells will occur before 2017, NHS scientists said. The blood is made from stem cells extracted from either the umbilical cord blood of newborn babies or the blood of

Gene, stem cell therapies may have far-reaching implications for coronary artery grafts

CU LogoAs seen in Science Daily – June 9, 2015

Source:Creighton University

Summary:Researchers are exploring the potential for gene and stem cell therapy in coronary artery bypass grafts to prevent re-occlusion in the grafted vein. Based on animal studies, the team is seeing a marked improvement in preventing re-occlusion, with no side effects

A Creighton University researcher has received a National Institutes of Health grant to study the effects of gene and stem cell therapy in …

Help NCER Reach Our Goals

Please help Nebraska Coalition for Ethical Research (NCER) continue to grow and advance our statewide advocacy for biomedical research that promotes the life, dignity and rights of every human being regardless of their developmental stage.

NCER has been chosen to participate in this years’ Omaha Gives! fundraising event. Omaha Gives! is a 24-hour online giving event organized by the Omaha Community Foundation to grow philanthropy in Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie counties. The goal is to …

Nebraska Coalition for Ethical Research recommends that the FDA deny licensure for the use of mitochondrial techniques in U.S. fertility clinics or research laboratories

Nebraska Coalition for Ethical ResearchAt the end of last month the Board of Directors sent the following letter to the FDA with our position on the use of multi-parent embryos.

27 March 2015

Attn: Michael Berrios
The Committee on Ethical and Social Policy Considerations of Novel Techniques for Prevention of Maternal Transmission of Mitochondrial DNA Diseases
Keck Center
500 Fifth St. NW
Washington, DC 20001

Dear Committee Members:

There are at least five reasons why the Board of Directors …

Amniotic stem cells demonstrate healing potential

Rice University and Texas Children’s Hospital scientists are using stem cells from amniotic fluid to promote the growth of robust, functional blood vessels in healing hydrogels.

In new experiments, the lab of bioengineer Jeffrey Jacot combined versatile amniotic stem cells with injectable hydrogels used as scaffolds in regenerative medicine and proved they enhance the development of vessels needed to bring blood to new tissue and carry waste products away.

The results appear in the Journal …

Drugs that activate brain stem cells may reverse multiple sclerosis

For Immediate Release: Monday, April 20, 2015

NIH-funded study identifies over-the-counter compounds that may replace damaged cells

Two drugs already on the market — an antifungal and a steroid — may potentially take on new roles as treatments for multiple sclerosis. According to a study published in Nature today, researchers discovered that these drugs may activate stem cells in the brain to stimulate myelin producing cells and repair white matter, which is damaged in multiple …

Stem cell injection may soon reverse vision loss caused by age-related macular degeneration

An injection of stem cells into the eye may soon slow or reverse the effects of early-stage age-related macular degeneration, according to new research from scientists at Cedars-Sinai. Currently, there is no treatment that slows the progression of the disease, which is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 65.

“This is the first study to show preservation of vision after a single injection of adult-derived human cells into a rat model with …

NCER selected for Omaha Gives!

Omaha Gives! is an annual 24-hour charitable challenge to benefit metro-area nonprofits. This community give-together begins at midnight on May 20 with a minimum gift of only $10. We’ve got hourly drawings, prizes, and bonus dollars to boost your gifts. So gather your circles, schedule your gifts, and get ready to cheer for your favorite nonprofits throughout the day.…