The REGROW Act would drastically weaken FDA regulation of experimental stem cell therapies. I’ve criticized it in numerous posts (see those here) for its radical ideas that would put patients and the stem cell field at risk.
I’m not the only one concerned about it as both ARM and ISSCR oppose it too. Now 10 top patient advocacy groups together announced their opposition to it as well. The patient groups that include the Michael J. Fox Foundation (see complete list at the bottom of this email) cited their concerns over risks to patients from the bill in a letter to Senator Mark Kirk, who is the main sponsor.
I commend these patient groups for this move and I wholly agree with their sentiment that existing FDA mechanism are a better way to proceed. For instance, instead of REGROW we should be pressuring the FDA to use its Breakthrough designation and Fast Track review for stem cells more readily.
Patient Groups Opposing REGROW
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
- Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance
- Friends of Cancer Research
- Global Genes
- Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
- Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation
- National MS Society
- National Organization for Rare Disorders
- National Patient Advocate Foundation
- Prevent Cancer Foundation
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