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And allow the nerve cells to actually become less diseased and the nerve cells begin to look healthy. >> it's worth pointing out is that john is going into the operating room. the question they're really trying to answer, the most important question hat this point, is are these cells safe? is anything bad going to happen as a result of this operation? getting stem cells into john's spinal cord is not easy. it took this surgeon, dr. nick boulis years to design this platform to stabilize the needle that delivers the stem skrels into the spinal cord. this is a huge breakthrough. one thing that's ...

At the university where the trial was conducted. i'm on the faculty at emery as well. if john's progress is as promising as previous two participants have been, more patients are going to have this particular procedure. interestingly, john's wife gina found out about the trial by going to the internet. if you want to learn more, go to www.alsa.org. als association. a massive headwake. what causes the pain? i have an answer on "ask the doctor." she can teach us all about determination and overcoming obstacles, plus, wait until you hear her voice. she gave us a sneak preview. ♪ ♪

Of my admiration and respect for being able to do this for the greater good. >> reporter: john has volunteered to be one of the first people in the united states to participate in an operation to inject stem cells directly into his spine. it's called a phase one clinical trial. this is the first step. no one knows what will happen. here's how john got to this place. >> two years ago i was running. playing golf. >> reporter: then gradually, literally, he began to lose it. >> started tripping and like a foot drop. started catching my foot on bricks and curves and started losing my balance offici...

Better known as lou gehrig's disease. the nerve cells in the spine and brain which control muscle movement destroyed. and when the brain can no longer tell muscles to move, the muscles wither wear. eventually the diaphragm as well, which pulls and pushes air into the lungs. think about that. the brain is fine, but you simply cannot breathe. john knows there's no cure for als. so does his wife and two daughters. >> my first thoughts were i hated for my girls to see me go through this. so today is a historic day. what we're going to see is the first fda approved clinical trial for fetal stem cel...

Could it impact your health? i'll tell you. let's get started. for more than a decade we've been hearing about the incredible promise stem cells may or may not hold. but they haven't produced a single proven cure backed by solid science, so far. now the first fda approved clinical trial using fetal stel cells in adults with als is under way. i was able to follow a patient on his incredible journey. john has a terrible illness for which there's no cure. can you imagine hearing this from your surgeon? >> i don't honestly think this is going to make you better. which means the reason that you'r...