Now it looks like even Russia is getting on board with the UN push for official disability rights. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said that Russia has much to do still, if they are to fully implement the UN’s provisions, but that their experts are helping develop the convention and the legislation.

Putin admits that Russia towns ans cities are poorly equipped to properly assist those with disabilities, whether it be with transportation or jobs. He believes that signing the Convention “will be a move forward on this track.”

Interesting that Russia is willing to move forward on this and yet the US still refuses to sign.

Geron Corporation, who we mentioned in a previous article, has just received a payment of $1.5 million from Exeter Life Sciences, Inc as part of a joint effort between the companies to continue further stem cell research. Geron is expected to be the first US company to complete human stem cell trials for the treatment of spinal cord injury. Read more here.

The FDA is finally taking the first steps toward human trials of embryonic stem cell treatments. They held conferences Thursday and Friday to discuss creating a blueprint for the system. Apparently, their main concern is possible side-effects of the treatments, chiefly the long-term risk of tumors. Geron (http://www.geron.com/) was to submit the first proposal for a clinical trial.
Article 1
Article 2

From the article: Alseres Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that on April 15, 2008, Dr. Mark Hurtt, Chief Medical Officer, will discuss the CETHRIN development program as a member of an expert panel on Spinal Cord Injury Research during a congressional briefing on Capitol Hill focused on “Rapid Advancements in Paralysis Research.” In addition, Dr. Hurtt will present interim results of the CETHRIN Phase I/IIa clinical trial in acute spinal cord injury during a plenary session on April 13, 2008 at the “Working 2 Walk” Science and Education Symposium in Washington, DC. Read more here.