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Recommendations and suggestions are intended to minimize symptoms, improve the quality of life and should be discussed with family, caregivers, neurologists, other physicians and support groups.

US FACILITIES

As of September 1, 2010, U.S. government officials say they will appeal a U.S. District Court injunction that stops new federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research. The ruling has no direct effect on researchers or companies working with private funds, but government funding often initiates the most basic, highest expense and riskiest biological work. Here is a partial list of companies currently working to develop both adult and embryonic stem cells as therapies:

Geron Corp recently received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to start testing its experimental human embryonic stem cell therapy in people with new spinal cord injuries -- the first trial of the controversial cells in humans.

StemCells Inc recently said its human neural stem cells helped improve movement in mice being treated for spinal injuries. The Palo Alto, California-based company plans to start human trials in 2011.

Advanced Cell Technology Inc recently received orphan drug status from the FDA for retinal stem cells to treat Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy, which can lead to blindness.

Aastrom Biosciences Inc is working on ways to take a patient's own cells and use them to treat heart disease. These are in advanced trials in patients.

Thermogenesis Corp supplies products and services that process and store adult stem cells. The company recently cut its workforce by 10% to lower expenses.

Osiris Therapeutics Inc is testing stem cells taken from bone marrow in patients with Crohn's disease and Graft vs Host Disease.

Cytori Therapeutics Inc uses its Celution system to take stem and regenerative cells from a patient's own fat tissue to form a fat graft to reconstruct and repair breast and soft tissue. It is not yet available in the United States.

ReNeuron Group PLC reported positive mouse data with its REN009 stem cell therapy for peripheral arterial disease in diabetes. It hopes to apply to start trials in people next year.

Aldagen Inc, a private company, announced results last year from a Phase I clinical trial of ALD-201, a stem cell treatment for heart failure. Many companies are working to find ways to use stem cells to regenerate damaged heart tissue.

Celgene Corp, better known for blood cancer treatments, has an experimental stem cell treatment for Crohn's disease in Phase I clinical trials.

International Stem Cell Corp in California is trying to make human stem cells via parthenogenesis, in which an unfertilized egg begins to divide and grow as if it were fertilized by sperm. It positions its potential products as alternatives to embryonic stem cells.