Vatican-backed stem cell research gets $1.2-M US grant

WASHINGTON - A Vatican-backed US company that researches an alternative to embryonic stem cells on Friday received a $1.2 million dollar government grant, despite independent studies that question whether their product even exists.

NeoStem, a New Jersey-headquartered company, is investigating very small embryonic-like (VSEL) cells found in adult bone marrow that they say may be able to regrow into different kinds of tissue.

The research has stirred controversy due to NeoStem's marketing partnership with the Vatican and three independent studies that have been unable to confirm the cells are even there.

The latest peer-reviewed grant, totaling $1,221,854, was provided by the US National Institutes of Health for research on an experimental drug that could regenerate bone tissue damaged by periodontitis, a serious gum disease.

The company, along with other partner institutions, has already received $4.5 million in government research grants, including from the Department of Defense and the NIH.

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Vatican-backed stem cell research gets $1.2-M US grant