IT'S OFFICIAL: US scientists have begun to first trial of embryonic stem cells in humans.

US doctors have begun the first official trial of using human embryonic stem cells in patients after getting the green light from regulators.

The Food and Drug Administration has given a license to Geron to use the controversial cells to treat people with spinal injuries.

The cells have the potential to become many of the different cell types found in the body, including nerve cells.

The trials at a hospital in Atlanta will check if the treatment is safe.

Pivotal research

Geron, a biotech company based in "silicon valley" south of San Francisco, has spent $170m on developing a stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury.

The research will use cells coaxed to become nerve cells which are injected into the spinal cord.

In animal trials of the treatment, paralysed rats regained some movement.

But it is not yet known if it will offer any benefit to people with spinal cord injuries(...)

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