The FDA brings the hammer down on two quack stem cell clinics

I’ve been writing about stem cell quackery for a long time. Out of curiosity, I searched the blog for the first time I addressed this particular form of dubious treatment. Believe it or not, the very first time I wrote about stem cell pseudoscience was way, way back in 2005, and the very first time I wrote about stem cell tourism (i.e., traveling to countries with—shall we say?—laxer regulations…

Stem cell clinic group, Cell Surgical Network, fires PR back at FDA

The FDA took some big action last week and issued a major statement today on stem cell clinics (see my post here). I asked Dr. Mark Berman of the Cell Surgical Network if he had any statement regarding the recent action and statement from the FDA today that involved flagship network member clinic, California Stem Cell Treatment Centers.

Dr. Berman sent me the new press release from Cell Surgical…

Connecticut judge won't dismiss Sandy Hook lawsuit against gun manufacturers

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A makeshift memorial from the first anniversary of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newtown, Conn. (Robert F. Bukaty/AP)

A judge in Connecticut on Thursday rejected a request from gun manufacturers and sellers to dismiss a lawsuit filed by relatives of those killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in 2012, saying the lawsuit could go forward.

Connecticut…

Darren Aronofsky's new film Noah is stirring up a tidal wave of attention. He writes powerfully about his inspiration for the movie and his feelings of "Awe" at our earth's wonders: "Whether you are an atheist or a believer... This is our garden. We have dominion over it. Are we tending it? Are we keeping it?"  

When Mark Berman released his debut record "The Genesis Project" in 2007, he wrote in a similar vein about his concept for his Jazz/R&B vocal suite based on "The Creation" allegory, but with a human rights and environmental message for all earth's  inhabitants, no religious affiliation required:

"I feel this is very timely. The world is being abused and its health ignored. We are all part of this great small blue planet. Caring about it and each other is very powerful. Words and actions are powerful. Profits before people will never benefit the whole. Nobody wins with this approach. We've got one beautiful fragile planet. Its health and people need our attention. We need a call back to the planet. A call to harmony. Peace must be achieved. The Earth must be cherished as well as all living creatures on it. This is our planet's natural state. Our call must be heard. My contribution is THE GENESIS PROJECT." (Mark Berman, 2007)

I am grateful to these artists who, using the wisdom of ancient stories, whether perceived as truth or parable, call attention to the plight of our small blue planet and ask us, in Mr. Aronofsky's words, "Have we taken responsibility for its stewardship?"

We look forward to seeing Noah.

(My niece Megan, inspired by Mark's original concept album "The Genesis Project," made the beautiful earth and sea painting pictured above as part of a series of artworks accompanying it.)

Mark Berman‏@MarkBermanFox26