The very first clinical trials for a stem-cell based product are just around the corner, for a treatment for damaged spinal tissue. The treatment can quite possibly help patients with damaged spinal cords regain movement in their body, and scientists say the risks are minimal.

 

This represents a major step forward in medical science, being the first clinical use for embryonic stem cells since their culturing in 1998. There may be opposition from ethics groups, but researchers say the treatment itself should be safe, and it could be the first of many revolutionary new treatments.

 

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn9349

The very first clinical trials for a stem-cell based product are just around the corner,

I'll certainly be interested to see the results.

I still feel uncertain about the ethics though. I always wondered about using animal stem cells modified to seem human.

Just to be clear, this is first trial of embryonic stem cells, adult ones have been trialled already without alot of success.