Stem Cell Testing On Humans

The first clinical trial will involve just eight to ten people who all have severe spinal cord injuries. The embryonic stem cell therapy will be administered within 14 days of the injury, so the group has not yet been chosen.

This first test is designed to see if the cells are safe in people. In animal research the cells were not only safe, they enabled rats with spinal cord injuries to walk again by helping to repair the damaged nerve cells in their spines.

In this first test on people researchers would be happy with even the slightest sign the cells are working.