2 replies to this topic

[Sexpat]

"A scientist who heads a clinical trial project to replace cornea tissue limbal cells with stem-cell therapy for patients at a state-run hospital vowed to continue the project despite it being scrutinised by medical experts.

Monnipha Sila-art, head of Mahidol University's Cell Engineering and Tissue Growth Laboratory, said yesterday the trial project would be moved forward as it had been approved by ethics committees of both the Public Health Ministry and Wat Rai Khing Hospital.

"The committees considered that the trial is safe for patients," she said. She admitted that she had not conducted animal tests before moving the trial to humans.

...Since being introduced earlier this month, the trial project, funded by the National Research Council, has been criticised by a group of experts who say it is premature to conduct trials for stem-cell therapy for patients with eye diseases. Dr Nipan Isarasena, head of the stem-cell unit at Chulalongkorn Hospital, said he had never heard of any successful case of developing limbal cells from skin cells, not to mention any success in replacing such cells in patients or in animals."

...Nipan expressed doubt because the team had not publicised its claimed success - which would otherwise be considered as a significant breakthrough. Monnipha countered that she plans to announce the success once the clinical trial is complete. "We don't want researchers in other countries to hijack our techniques," she said.

Monnipha admitted that not many other countries had dared to conduct stem-cell therapy trials on patients with eye diseases, particularly by using cells extracted from other parts of the patients' bodies."In developed countries, doctors have faced legal cases filed by patients and relatives. In many of these cases doctors have lost and been forced to pay compensation. But in Thailand, as we have seen, whenever there is a case, doctors usually win," she said. "

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/19...al_30041481.php

[UncleSam]

She admitted that she had not conducted animal tests before moving the trial to humans.

It's all part of Amazing Thailand. Let the monkeys pay for their own research.

Hehehe....

[Old Slapper]

The last time a stem cell break through was claimed by an Asian scientist it turned out to be a fraud.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/01/11/sk...l.ap/index.html

Of course this could never happen in Thailand with all its high standards and undisputed excellence in cutting edge scientific research now could it? Yeah right!

What's that old saying again? Oh yeah that's right. Let the buyer beware.