He made the emotional plea to his colleagues: Pass this bill.
“It might give somebody like my wife a chance to walk,” Texas Representative Drew Springer said through tears late Thursday at the state Capitol in Austin. “I’d trade every one of my bills I’ve passed, every single one of them, to get the chance to hear HB 810.”
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I was diagnosed with early onset parkinsons 19 tears ago. I was 38. I started a brand new drug and went through hell from side effects that I had. (Only 3% were shown to get them), gained 78 lbs in less than 4 months, spent almost 500k gambling and shopping, just took a complete 180 from the person I was.My personality became ugly and unkind. Almost lost my family, home, good friends. But thanks to the love of those closest to me, they knew it wasn’t “me.” Changed meds and was a different person after about 6 months. Had to be weaned off slowly. I have had 4 brain surgeries since then. A few weeks ago I saw a stem cell ad on the internet and requested more info. What I got were endless rude sales calls trying to hard sell me this treatment even after I told her I couldn not afford it now. There were a few videos posted on the site also, but there were no stats or true evidence it would work. These people made it sound so easy. If I would not have already gone through my own struggles I probably would have been convinced, but even though I do understand the science behind it, I will wait until there is unequivocal evidence that I will get at least some positives from it. I cannot deal with any more negatives. Oh, the drug that caused my problems was very new on the market and I believe if had it tested on humans longer, the percentage would have been way more than 3%. I would have stayed on it had I not had my problems because it worked better than any other meds since. My advice is don’t jump the gun. If you waited this long a little while longer won’t matter. They are on to something obviously, but just have not perfected it yet. Your remaining health is not worth doing something you may regret later. If and when this procedure is perfected, don’t you think it will be celebrated as the breakthrough of the century? Wait for the celebration.
I have had MS for 34 years. I have been to Panama, the results are unbelievable. I would be the first in line if Texas passes this bill. Were do I find out who’s will be doing this if passed. Thanks so much Roger Schuerbaum
This is so good to have the chance to get Stem Cell therapy in Texas because flying to Panama is so difficult when you cannot walk. I live in Grapevine Tx and understand a Dr. in Nearby South Lake is one of the Doctors who has been responsible for the stem cell therapy in Panama and I have met 2 people with MS that now can walk again. There ate several people who are able to walk again. It is expensive but to have to make a long flight also when it can be done here in our state is the right choice and I thank all who voted for it!
I don’t understand your point. I am not against research with stem cells I just don’t believe that people with the problems should be subjected to taking medication that is unproven in terms of recovering anything and unproven in terms of safety
Typical Texas. The hell with science, treat medicine like any other business, get the suckers to pay. Government shouldn’t regulate anything.
Mr. Bales doesn’t get it. The only reason patients are in this “fight” to begin with is that we are mostly LAST RESORT patients. Try thinking about us, instead of yourself!! The FDA drugs caused me physical and mental distress and damage that might be beyond repair. When you feel relief for this first time in years, using adult stem cells, you can bet your boots, I’m going to fight for others to have access to this.
So, Mr. Bales, sorry to piss you off, but the feeling is quite mutual.
Scientists are overstepping their bounds when they wade into treatments that are medical procedures. There’s big money at stake here; that’s the reality behind all the fear mongering. Endless grants, not to mention the patents many scientists have make for a huge conflict of interest. Big Pharma can’t profit from simple medical procedures done by doctors. The dream is off the shelf products that can be mass produced. As for Bales, his group enjoys magnificent fundraising events, but just where are all those clinical trials. Too many years have gone by with little to show from such efforts. Patients grow weary of healthy academic elites and advocates who ignore the science that is already there along with thousands of published studies showing that adult stem cell therapy is safe. Patient testimonials are ignored as they attempt to throttle those who dare say that treatment helped them gain a better quality of life. Thankfully Texas is trying to do the right thing for patients. I’ve had treatment which completely changed my life for the better. You can now kill yourself legally in many states and that seems to be okay, but try to better your life and a barrage of conflicted scientists and other groups want to take that freedom away. It makes little sense unless you follow the money trail. Who are these people to tell patients how to spend their money or what to do with their own body parts? It’s as despicable as anything I’ve ever been through in my life. It needs to stop. The media needs to start doing its homework too. Vet sources for conflicts of interest, find out how many patients have actually been harmed by stem cell treatment rather than just using sources that don’t want anyone to know that the number is ridiculously low.
The injury rate is low because of regulation, not in spite of it.
Problem with those advocating that unproven clinics are dangerous are simply dealing with demagoguery, because the statistics show differently. Taking the ball out of their court and moving into the medical procedure courts takes their control over it and not to mention the millions in research grant they get. The supervision of state medical boards should suffice as thousands of previous medical procedures have proven to be successful in the past and continue to do so.
Patients are going to be much safer if they are able to avoid going abroad for stem cell therapy, and get treated in the U.S. instead.
The real danger that Texans do not get is that as the 71 snake-oil clinics multiply, and patients get worse, the public might well become doubtful of “proven” stem cell interventions leading to a chaotic hit-or-miss search for cures among the public. This law is like Texas’ concealed carry law – short-sighted.
So your argument is patients should wait because otherwise it might mess up the market for an eventual patent stem cell? THAT is exactly the problem.
We aren’t lab rats, or “markets” for the taking by the medico-research-acadamia complex. We are people and we have a God given right to self determination including to buy stem cells for ourselves if we would like to try it.
If it doesn’t work the same patients will gladly cheer on your better effort when it is available and sign themselves up.
Problem is your “better effort” may not be here for a decade. I know it doesn’t matter to YOU if I don’t make it, but it matters to me.
thank you for this article. the proposed texas legislation is a step in the right direction. it properly balances the desire of prospective patients to take advantage of a safe and effective therapy, while preserving the regulatory oversight of the state. i have personally benefited from adult stem cell therapy. i traveled to nanjing, china for mine. hopefully, future recipients can receive theirs here in the u.s. other states should follow texas’ lead, making adult stem cell therapy accessible and affordable to those who, in consultation with a qualified physician. are eligible.