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      <TD noWrap align=center width="100%"><B><FONT face=serif size=2>As filed
        with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 4,
      2009</FONT></B>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1.5pt solid" noWrap align=right width="100%"><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Registration No.
        333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></B> &nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE>
  <P></P>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face=serif>UNITED STATES <BR></FONT></B><B><FONT face=serif>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
  </FONT></B><B><FONT face=serif size=2><BR></FONT></B><FONT face=serif size=2>&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;<BR></FONT><B><FONT face=serif>FORM S-8
  <BR></FONT></B><B><FONT face=serif>REGISTRATION STATEMENT <BR>UNDER
  <BR></FONT></B><B><FONT face=serif>THE SECURITIES ACT OF
  1933<BR></FONT></B><FONT face=serif size=2>&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;<BR></FONT><B><FONT face=serif size=4>GERON
  CORPORATION</FONT></B> <FONT face=serif size=4><BR></FONT><FONT face=serif size=1><EM>(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
  <BR></EM></FONT></P>
  <P>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="50%"><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Delaware</FONT></B>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="49%"><B><FONT face=serif size=2>75-2287752</FONT></B>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="50%"><I><FONT size=+0><FONT face=serif size=1>(State or Other Jurisdiction of<BR>Incorporation or
        Organization)</FONT></FONT></I></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="49%"><I><FONT size=+0><FONT face=serif size=1>(I.R.S. Employer<BR>Identification
    Number)</FONT></FONT></I></TD></TR></TABLE>
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif size=2>&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;<BR><STRONG>230 Constitution
  Drive<BR>Menlo Park, California 94025<BR></STRONG></FONT><FONT face=serif size=1><I>(Addresses of Principal Executive Offices including Zip Code)</I>
  <BR></FONT><FONT face=serif size=2>&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;<BR></FONT><B><FONT face=serif>1996 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN <BR>2002 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
  <BR></FONT></B><FONT face=serif size=1>(</FONT><I><FONT face=serif size=1>Full
  Title of the Plans</FONT></I><FONT face=serif size=1>)
  <BR>&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;&#150;</FONT></P>
  <P>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="50%"><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Thomas B.
        Okarma</FONT></B> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="49%"><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Copy
        to:</FONT></B> </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="50%"><B><FONT face=serif size=2>President
        and Chief Executive Officer</FONT></B> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="49%"><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Mark V.
        Roeder, Esq.</FONT></B> </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="50%"><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Geron
        Corporation</FONT></B> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="49%"><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Latham
        &amp; Watkins LLP</FONT></B> </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="50%"><B><FONT face=serif size=2>230
        Constitution Drive</FONT></B> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="49%"><B><FONT face=serif size=2>140 Scott
        Drive</FONT></B> </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="50%"><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Menlo Park,
        California 94025</FONT></B> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="49%"><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Menlo Park,
        California 94025</FONT></B> </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="50%"><B><FONT face=serif size=2>(650)
        473-7700</FONT></B> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="49%"><B><FONT face=serif size=2>(650)
        328-4600</FONT></B> </TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="99%" colSpan=2>
        <P align=center><I><FONT face=serif size=1>(Name and Address, Including
        Zip Code, and Telephone Number, <BR>Including Area Code, of Agent for
        Service) </FONT></I></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
  <P align=left><FONT face=serif size=2>Indicate by check mark whether the
  registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated
  filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#147;large accelerated
  filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule 12b2 of the
  Exchange Act.</FONT></P>
  <div align=center>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="95%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="1%"><FONT face=Wingdings size=2>o</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="50%"><FONT face=serif size=1>&nbsp;Large
        accelerated filer</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="1%"><FONT face=Wingdings size=2>x</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="47%"><FONT face=serif size=1>&nbsp;Accelerated filer</FONT>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="1%"><FONT face=Wingdings size=2>o</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="50%"><FONT face=serif size=1>&nbsp;Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting
        company)</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="1%"><FONT face=Wingdings size=2>o</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="47%"><FONT face=serif size=1>&nbsp;Smaller
        reporting company</FONT>&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></div><BR>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="99%" colSpan=9><FONT face=serif size=2><STRONG>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</STRONG><FONT size=3>
        </FONT></FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="43%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="16%" colSpan=2><STRONG><FONT size=1>Amount</FONT></STRONG> </TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="13%"><STRONG><FONT size=1>Proposed Maximum</FONT></STRONG> </TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="13%"><B><FONT face=serif size=1>Proposed</FONT></B>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="14%" colSpan=4><STRONG><FONT size=1>Amount
        of</FONT></STRONG> </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="43%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="16%" colSpan=2><B><FONT face=serif size=1>to be</FONT></B> </TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="13%"><FONT face=serif size=1><STRONG>Offering Price</STRONG><FONT size=3> </FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="13%"><FONT face=serif size=1><STRONG>Maximum
        Aggregate</STRONG><FONT size=3> </FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="14%" colSpan=4><STRONG><FONT size=1>Registration</FONT></STRONG> </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="43%"><FONT size=1><STRONG>Title of Securities
        to be Registered</STRONG></FONT><FONT size=3> </FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="16%" colSpan=2><STRONG><FONT size=1>Registered
        (1)(2)</FONT></STRONG> </TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="13%"><FONT face=serif size=1><STRONG>Per Share
        (3)</STRONG><FONT size=3> </FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="13%"><FONT face=serif size=1><STRONG>Offering
        Price (3)</STRONG><FONT size=3> </FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="14%" colSpan=4><STRONG><FONT size=1>Fee</FONT></STRONG> </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="43%"><FONT face=serif size=1>Common Stock, $0.001 par value per
        share, issuable under<FONT size=3> </FONT></FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="16%" colSpan=2>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="14%" colSpan=4></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="43%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=1>the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (4)</FONT> </TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=right width="10%"><FONT size=1>600,000</FONT> </TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="13%"><FONT size=1>$8.63</FONT> </TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="13%"><FONT size=1>$&nbsp;5,178,000</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="5%"><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="1%"><FONT size=1>$</FONT> </TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=right width="3%"><FONT size=1>288.93</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="5%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="43%"><FONT size=1>Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share,
        issuable under</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=right width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="14%" colSpan=4>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="43%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=1>the 2002 Equity Incentive Plan (4)</FONT> </TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=right width="10%"><FONT size=1>2,000,000</FONT> </TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="13%"><FONT size=1>$8.63</FONT><FONT size=3>
        </FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="13%"><FONT size=1>$17,260,000</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="5%"><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="1%"><FONT size=1>$</FONT> </TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=right width="3%"><FONT size=1>963.11</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="5%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="43%"><FONT size=1>Total</FONT> </TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=right width="10%"><FONT size=1>2,600,000</FONT> </TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="13%"><FONT size=1>$8.63</FONT> </TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="13%"><FONT size=1>$22,438,000</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="5%">&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="1%"><FONT size=1>$</FONT> </TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=right width="3%"><FONT size=1>1,252.04</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=center width="5%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>
  
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top><FONT size=1>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top><FONT face=serif size=1>(1)</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top><FONT size=1>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  </FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%"><FONT face=serif size=1>The 1996 Employee
        Stock Purchase Plan (the &#147;Purchase Plan&#148;) authorizes the issuance of
        1,200,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the &#147;Common
        Stock&#148;), of Geron Corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;), of which 600,000 shares are
        being registered hereunder. The 2002 Equity Incentive Plan (the &#147;2002
        Plan&#148;) authorizes the issuance of 17,579,603 shares of Common Stock of the
        Company, of which 2,000,000 shares are being registered
      hereunder.</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top><FONT face=serif size=1>(2)</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%"><FONT face=serif size=1>Pursuant to Rule
        416(a), this registration statement (the &#147;Registration Statement&#148;) shall
        also cover any additional shares of Common Stock which become issuable
        under the Plan by reason of any stock dividend, stock split,
        recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected without the
        receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of the
        outstanding shares of the Company&#146;s Common Stock.</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top><FONT face=serif size=1>(3)</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%"><FONT face=serif size=1>Estimated solely for
        the purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h)
        and (c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities
        Act&#148;), and is based on the average ($8.63) of the high ($8.77) and low
        ($8.49) sales prices of the Company&#146;s Common Stock, as reported on the
        Nasdaq Global Market on July 29, 2009.</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top><FONT face=serif size=1>(4)</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%"><FONT face=serif size=1>Each share of Common
        Stock being registered hereunder, if issued prior to the termination by
        the Company of its Rights Agreement dated as of July 20, 2001, will
        include one preferred share purchase right. Prior to the occurrence of
        certain events, the preferred share purchase rights will not be
        exercisable or evidenced separately from the Common
    Stock.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1.5pt solid" width="100%"><FONT size=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%">
        <P align=center><B><FONT face=serif size=2>This Registration Statement
        will become effective upon filing in accordance with Rule 462 under the
        Securities Act.&nbsp;</FONT></B> </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Proposed sale to take place as soon
  after the effective date of the Registration Statement as stock is issued
  <BR>under the Purchase Plan and options granted under the 2002 Plan are
  exercised. </FONT></B></P>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Total Pages 9<BR>Exhibit Index on
  Page 7</FONT></B><FONT face=serif size=2> </FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE>
  
  <P align=center><B><FONT face=serif size=2>REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES
  </FONT></B></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>On September
  23, 1996, Geron Corporation, a Delaware corporation (&#147;Geron&#148; or the &#147;Company&#148;)
  filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-12487 (the
  &#147;First Purchase Plan Registration Statement&#148;), with the Securities and Exchange
  Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) relating to an aggregate of 300,000 shares of the
  Company&#146;s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the &#147;Common Stock&#148;) for
  issuance from time to time in connection with the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase
  Plan (as amended, &#147;the Purchase Plan&#148;). On July 23, 2003, the Company filed a
  Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-107276 (the &#147;Second
  Purchase Plan Registration Statement&#148;), with the Commission relating to an
  additional 300,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the Purchase Plan. The
  Purchase Plan authorizes the issuance of 1,200,000 shares of Common Stock. Under
  this Registration Statement, the Company is hereby registering an additional
  600,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the Purchase Plan, none of which
  has been issued as of the date of this Registration Statement.</FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>On July 3,
  2002, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.
  333-91916 (the &#147;First EIP Registration Statement&#148;), with the Commission relating
  to an aggregate of 7,000,000 shares of Common Stock to be offered and sold under
  the 2002 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended, the &#147;2002 Plan&#148;). On October 7, 2004, the
  Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-119601
  (the &#147;Second EIP Registration Statement&#148;), with the Commission relating to an
  additional 579,603 shares of Common Stock issuable under the 2002 Plan. On
  August 5, 2005, the Company filed a Registration on Statement on Form S-8,
  Registration No. 333-127255 (the &#147;Third EIP Registration Statement&#148;), with the
  Commission relating to an additional 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock issuable
  under the 2002 Plan. On August 4, 2006, the Company filed a Registration
  Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-136330 (the &#147;Fourth EIP Registration
  Statement&#148;), with the Commission relating to an additional 2,000,000 shares of
  Common Stock issuable under the 2002 Plan. On August 1, 2007, the Company filed
  a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-145042 (the &#147;Fifth
  EIP Registration Statement&#148;), with the Commission relating to an additional
  2,000,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the 2002 Plan. On August 1,
  2008, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.
  333-152725 (the &#147;Sixth EIP Registration Statement&#148;), with the Commission
  relating to an additional 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the
  2002 Plan. The 2002 Plan authorizes the issuance of 17,579,603 shares of Common
  Stock. The Company is hereby registering an additional 2,000,000 shares of
  Common Stock issuable under the 2002 Plan, none of which has been issued as of
  the date of this Registration Statement.</FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>Pursuant to
  Instruction E of Form S-8, the contents of the First Purchase Plan Registration
  Statement, Second Purchase Plan Registration Statement, First EIP Registration
  Statement, Second EIP Registration Statement, Third EIP Registration Statement,
  Fourth EIP Registration Statement, Fifth EIP Registration Statement and Sixth
  EIP Registration Statement are incorporated by reference in this Registration
  Statement on Form S-8.</FONT></P>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face=serif size=2>PART I </FONT></B></P>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face=serif size=2>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION
  10(a) PROSPECTUS</FONT></B><FONT face=serif size=2> </FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>The
  information called for in Part I of the Form S-8 is not being filed with or
  included in this Form S-8 (by incorporation by reference or otherwise) in
  accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. </FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif size=2>2</FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face=serif size=2>PART II </FONT></B></P>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face=serif size=2>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT </FONT></B></P>
  <P align=left><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by
  Reference </FONT></B></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>The
  following documents filed with the Commission by Geron are incorporated as of
  their respective dates in this Registration Statement by reference: </FONT></P>
  <UL>
    <LI><FONT face=serif size=2>Geron&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
    ended December 31, 2008, filed with the Commission on February 27,
    2009;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT>
    <LI><FONT face=serif size=2>Geron&#146;s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the
    Commission on January 23, 2009, January 28, 2009, February 12, 2009, February
    12, 2009, February 17, 2009, March 30, 2009, April 27, 2009 and July 2,
    2009;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT>
    <LI><FONT face=serif size=2>Geron&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
    three months ended March 31, 2009, filed with the Commission on April 30,
    2009;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT>
    <LI><FONT face=serif size=2>Geron&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
    three and six months ended June 30, 2009, filed with the Commission on July
    31, 2009;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT>
    <LI><FONT face=serif size=2>the description of Geron preferred share purchase
    rights, contained in Geron&#146;s Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of July 20,
    2001, filed with the Commission on July 23, 2001, and any amendment or report
    filed with the Commission for purposes of updating the description;
    and<BR>&nbsp;</FONT>
    <LI><FONT face=serif size=2>the description of Geron&#146;s common stock contained
    in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 000-21643) filed with the
    Commission on October 30, 1996 and Form 8-A (File No. </FONT><FONT face=serif size=2>000-21643) filed with the Commission on May 11, 2004 under Section
    12(g) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), including
    all material incorporated by reference therein and any subsequently filed
    amendments and reports updating such description.</FONT></LI></UL>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>All
  documents filed by Geron pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates
  that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities
  then remaining unsold are incorporated by reference in this Registration
  Statement and are a part hereof from the date of filing such documents. Any
  statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
  reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of
  this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or
  in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
  incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
  statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
  or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement. </FONT></P>
  <P align=left><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Item 4. Description of Securities
  </FONT></B></P>
  <P align=left><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>Not applicable. </FONT></P>
  <P align=left><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and
  Counsel </FONT></B></P>
  <P align=left><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>Not applicable. </FONT></P>
  <P align=left><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Item 6. Indemnification of Directors
  and Officers </FONT></B></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>Section
  145(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the &#147;DGCL&#148;)
  provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a
  party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
  completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, </FONT><FONT face=serif size=2>administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in
  the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
  director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at
  the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
  another corporation or enterprise, against expenses, judgments, fines and
  amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
  connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in good faith
  and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
  best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
  proceeding, had no cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. </FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif size=2>3</FONT><FONT face=serif size=1>
  </FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>Section
  145(b) of the DGCL provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any person
  who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
  pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of corporation to procure
  a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person acted in any of
  the capacities set forth above, against expenses actually and reasonably
  incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such
  action or suit if he or she acted under similar standards to those set forth
  above, except that no indemnification may be made in respect to any claim, issue
  or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the
  corporation unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or
  suit was brought shall determine that despite the adjudication of liability, but
  in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and
  reasonably entitled to be indemnified for such expenses which the court shall
  deem proper. </FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>Section 145
  of the DGCL further provides that to the extent a director or officer of a
  corporation has been successful in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding
  referred to in subsection (a) and (b) or in the defense of any claim, issue or
  matter therein, he or she shall be indemnified against expenses actually and
  reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith; that indemnification
  provided for by Section 145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to
  which the indemnified party may be entitled; and that the corporation may
  purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a director or officer of the
  corporation against any liability asserted against such officer or director and
  incurred by him or her in any such capacity or arising out of his or her status
  as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or
  her against such liabilities under Section 145.</FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>As permitted
  by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, our Certificate of Incorporation provides that
  a director shall not be liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages
  for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. However, this provision does not
  eliminate or limit the liability of a director for acts or omissions not in good
  faith or for breaching his or her duty of loyalty, engaging in intentional
  misconduct or knowingly violating the law, paying a dividend or approving a
  stock repurchase which was illegal, or obtaining an improper personal benefit. A
  provision of this type has no effect on the availability of equitable remedies,
  such as injunction or rescission, for breach of fiduciary duty. Our Certificate
  of Incorporation requires that directors and officers be indemnified to the
  maximum extent permitted by Delaware law.</FONT></P>
  <P align=left><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Item 7. Exemption from Registration
  Claimed </FONT></B></P>
  <P align=left><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>Not applicable. </FONT></P>
  <P align=left><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Item 8. Exhibits </FONT></B></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>A list of
  exhibits filed with this Registration Statement is set forth in the Exhibit
  Index on page 7 and is incorporated herein by reference. </FONT></P>
  
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif size=2>4</FONT><FONT face=serif size=1>
  </FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE>
  
  <P align=left><B><FONT face=serif size=2>Item 9. Undertakings </FONT></B></P>
  <P align=left><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>(a) The undersigned registrant
  hereby undertakes: </FONT></P>
  
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
  being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
  </FONT></P>
  <P style="PADDING-LEFT: 15pt" align=left><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>(i) To include any prospectus
  required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;</FONT></P>
  <P style="PADDING-LEFT: 15pt" align=left><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>(ii) To reflect in the prospectus
  any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration
  Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
  individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
  information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the
  foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
  total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
  registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
  offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC
  pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price
  represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price
  set forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective
  Registration Statement; and</FONT></P>
  <P style="PADDING-LEFT: 15pt" align=left><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>(iii) To include any material
  information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in
  this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this
  Registration Statement; </FONT></P>
  <P align=left><I><FONT face=serif size=2>provided, however</FONT></I><FONT face=serif size=2>, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
  information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
  paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
  Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
  </FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under
  the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a
  new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
  offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
  </FONT><I><FONT face=serif size=2>bona fide </FONT></I><FONT face=serif size=2>offering thereof. </FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
  amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
  termination of the offering. </FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>(b) The
  undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
  liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual
  report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and,
  where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report
  pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference
  in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new Registration
  Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial </FONT><I><FONT face=serif size=2>bona fide</FONT></I><FONT face=serif size=2> offering thereof.
  </FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>(c) Insofar
  as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
  permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant
  pursuant to existing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised
  that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public
  policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
  the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
  the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
  officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
  action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
  person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will,
  unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
  precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
  such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
  Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
  </FONT></P>
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif size=2>5</FONT><FONT face=serif size=1>
  </FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face=serif size=2>SIGNATURES</FONT></B><FONT face=serif size=2> </FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>Pursuant to
  the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has
  reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing
  on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its
  behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Menlo Park,
  State of California, on August 4, 2009.</FONT></P>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="50%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="50%" colSpan=3><B><FONT face=serif size=2>GERON CORPORATION</FONT></B> </TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="50%"></TD>
      <TD width="50%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="50%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"><FONT face=serif size=2>By:</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="25%"><FONT face=serif size=2>/s/ David L. Greenwood</FONT> </TD>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="24%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="49%" colSpan=2><FONT size=2>David L.
        Greenwood</FONT> </TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="50%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="49%" colSpan=2><FONT size=2>Executive Vice
        President and</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="50%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="49%" colSpan=2><FONT size=2>Chief Financial
        Officer</FONT> </TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face=serif size=2>POWER OF ATTORNEY </FONT></B></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>KNOW ALL MEN
  BY THESE PRESENT, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
  appoints Thomas B. Okarma and David L. Greenwood, and each of them, his or her
  true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of
  substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place
  and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
  post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same,
  with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
  Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them,
  full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
  requisite and necessary to be done in order to effectuate the same as fully, to
  all intents and purposes, as he or she might or could do in person, hereby
  ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
  any of them, or their or his substitutes or substitute may lawfully do or cause
  to be done by virtue hereof.</FONT></P>
  <P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif size=2>Pursuant to
  the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been
  signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date
  indicated.</FONT></P>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><B><U><FONT face=serif size=2>Signature</FONT></U></B>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="35%"><B><U><FONT face=serif size=2>Title</FONT></U></B>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="29%">&nbsp; <STRONG><U><FONT size=2>Date</FONT></U></STRONG>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face=serif size=2>/s/ Thomas B. Okarma</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="35%"><FONT face=serif size=2>President, Chief
        Executive Officer and</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="29%"><FONT face=serif size=2>August 4,
        2009</FONT> </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Thomas B.
        Okarma</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="35%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Director
        (Principal Executive Officer)</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="29%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=4>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face=serif size=2>/s/ David L. Greenwood</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="35%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Executive Vice
        President and Chief Financial</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="29%"><FONT face=serif size=2>August 4,
        2009</FONT> </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face=serif size=2>David L.
        Greenwood</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="35%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Officer
        (Principal Financial and Accounting</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="29%"></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="35%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Officer)</FONT>
      </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="29%"></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=4>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face=serif size=2>/s/ Alexander E. Barkas</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="35%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Director</FONT>
      </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="29%"><FONT face=serif size=2>August 4,
        2009</FONT> </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Alexander E.
        Barkas</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="35%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="29%"></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=4>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face=serif size=2>/s/ Karin Eastham</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="35%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Director</FONT>
      </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="29%"><FONT face=serif size=2>August 4,
        2009</FONT> </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Karin
        Eastham</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="35%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="29%"></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=4>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face=serif size=2>/s/ Edward V. Fritzky</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="35%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Director</FONT>
      </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="29%"><FONT face=serif size=2>August 4,
        2009</FONT> </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Edward V.
        Fritzky</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="35%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="29%"></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=4>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face=serif size=2>/s/ Charles J. Homcy</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="35%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Director</FONT>
      </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="29%"><FONT face=serif size=2>August 4,
        2009</FONT> </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Charles J.
        Homcy</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="35%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="29%"></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=4>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="34%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="35%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Director</FONT>
      </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="29%"></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Thomas D.
        Kiley</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="35%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="29%"></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="99%" colSpan=4>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face=serif size=2>/s/ Patrick J. Zenner</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="35%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Director</FONT>
      </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="29%"><FONT face=serif size=2>August 4,
        2009</FONT> </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="34%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Patrick J.
        Zenner</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="35%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="29%">&nbsp;
  </TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif size=2>6</FONT><FONT face=serif size=1>
  </FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  <PAGE>
  <P align=center><B><FONT face=serif size=2>EXHIBIT INDEX </FONT></B></P>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
  
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="2%" colSpan=2><B><FONT face=serif size=2>EXHIBIT</FONT></B> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="2%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="94%">&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="2%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="2%" colSpan=2><B><FONT face=serif size=2><U>NUMBER</U></FONT></B> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="2%">&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="94%"><B><U><FONT face=serif size=2>DESCRIPTION</FONT></U></B>&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="2%"><B><FONT face=serif size=2><U>PAGE</U></FONT></B> </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=right width="1%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT face=serif size=2>4.1</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT size=2>+</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="2%" bgColor=#c0c0c0></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="94%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT face=serif size=2>Amended and Restated 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan</FONT>&nbsp;
      </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="2%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT face=serif size=2>N/A</FONT> </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=right width="1%"><FONT face=serif size=2>4.2</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%"><FONT size=2>++</FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="2%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="94%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Amended and Restated 2002 Equity
        Incentive Plan</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="2%"><FONT face=serif size=2>N/A</FONT>
    </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=right width="1%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT face=serif size=2>4.3</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT size=2>+++</FONT>
      </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="2%" bgColor=#c0c0c0></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="94%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT face=serif size=2>Rights Agreement dated as of July 20, 2001, between Geron
        Corporation</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="2%" bgColor=#c0c0c0></TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%" bgColor=#c0c0c0></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%" bgColor=#c0c0c0>&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="2%" bgColor=#c0c0c0></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="94%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT face=serif size=2><FONT size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT>and U.S. Stock
        Transfer Corporation, as Rights Agent</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="2%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT size=2>N/A</FONT>
      </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=right width="1%"><FONT face=serif size=2>5.1</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%">&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="2%"></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="94%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Opinion of
        Latham &amp; Watkins LLP</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="2%"><FONT face=serif size=2>8</FONT> </TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD noWrap align=right width="1%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT size=2>23.1</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%" bgColor=#c0c0c0>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="2%" bgColor=#c0c0c0></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="94%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT size=2>Consent of Latham &amp; Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1
        hereto)</FONT><FONT size=3>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="2%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT size=2>N/A</FONT> </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=right width="1%" bgColor=#ffffff><FONT face=serif size=2>23.2</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%" bgColor=#ffffff>&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="2%" bgColor=#ffffff></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="94%" bgColor=#ffffff><FONT face=serif size=2>Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting
        Firm</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="2%" bgColor=#ffffff><FONT face=serif size=2>9</FONT> </TD></TR>
    <TR vAlign=bottom>
      <TD noWrap align=right width="1%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT face=serif size=2>24.1</FONT> </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="1%" bgColor=#c0c0c0>&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="2%" bgColor=#c0c0c0></TD>
      <TD noWrap align=left width="94%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT face=serif size=2>Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to this
        Registration Statement)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
      <TD noWrap align=center width="2%" bgColor=#c0c0c0><FONT size=2>6</FONT>
      </TD></TR></TABLE>
  
  ____________________<BR>&nbsp;<BR>
  <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>
  
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top ><FONT face=serif size=2>(+)</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top  >&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%" ><FONT face=serif size=2>Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company&#146;s
        Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009
        filed on July 31, 2009.</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top ><FONT face=serif size=2>(++)</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top  ></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%" ><FONT face=serif size=2>Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company&#146;s
        Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31,
        2007 filed on April 30, 2007.</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD vAlign=top ><FONT face=serif size=2>(+++)</FONT></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top  ></TD>
      <TD vAlign=top width="100%" ><FONT face=serif size=2>Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company&#146;s Current
        Report on Form 8-K filed on July 23, 2001.</FONT></TD></TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE>
  <P align=center><FONT face=serif size=2>7</FONT></P>
  <HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>
  
  </BODY>
  
  </HTML>
metadata_documents: [{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "geron_s8.htm", "description": "INITIAL REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR SECURITIES TO BE OFFERED TO EMPLOYEES", "secsgml_size_bytes": 52105}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "GERON CORP", "cik": "0000886744", "assigned-sic": "2834", "irs-number": "752287752", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-161035", "film-number": "09984699"}, "business-address": {"street1": "230 CONSTITUTION DRIVE", "city": "MENLO PARK", "state": "CA", "zip": "94025", "phone": "6504737700"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "200 CONSTITUTION DRIVE", "city": "MENLO PARK", "state": "CA", "zip": "94025"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "GERON CORPORATION", "date-changed": "19960521"}}
text: As filed
        with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 4,
      2009
  Registration No.
        333-
  UNITED STATES
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
  ––––––––––––––––––––
  FORM S-8
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  UNDER
  THE SECURITIES ACT OF
  1933
  ––––––––––––––––––––
  GERON
  CORPORATION
  (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
  Delaware
  75-2287752
  (State or Other Jurisdiction of
  Incorporation or
        Organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
  Identification
    Number)
  ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
  230 Constitution
  Drive
  Menlo Park, California 94025
  (Addresses of Principal Executive Offices including Zip Code)
  ––––––––––––––––––––
  1996 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
  2002 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
  (
  Full
  Title of the Plans
  )
  ––––––––––––––––––––
  Thomas B.
        Okarma
  Copy
        to:
  President
        and Chief Executive Officer
  Mark V.
        Roeder, Esq.
  Geron
        Corporation
  Latham
        & Watkins LLP
  230
        Constitution Drive
  140 Scott
        Drive
  Menlo Park,
        California 94025
  Menlo Park,
        California 94025
  (650)
        473-7700
  (650)
        328-4600
  (Name and Address, Including
        Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
  Including Area Code, of Agent for
        Service)
  Indicate by check mark whether the
  registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated
  filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated
  filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b2 of the
  Exchange Act.
  o
  Large
        accelerated filer
  x
  Accelerated filer
  o
  Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting
        company)
  o
  Smaller
        reporting company
  CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
  Amount
  Proposed Maximum
  Proposed
  Amount
        of
  to be
  Offering Price
  Maximum
        Aggregate
  Registration
  Title of Securities
        to be Registered
  Registered
        (1)(2)
  Per Share
        (3)
  Offering
        Price (3)
  Fee
  Common Stock, $0.001 par value per
        share, issuable under
  the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (4)
  600,000
  $8.63
  $ 5,178,000
  $
  288.93
  Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share,
        issuable under
  the 2002 Equity Incentive Plan (4)
  2,000,000
  $8.63
  $17,260,000
  $
  963.11
  Total
  2,600,000
  $8.63
  $22,438,000
  $
  1,252.04
  (1)
  The 1996 Employee
        Stock Purchase Plan (the "Purchase Plan") authorizes the issuance of
        1,200,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "Common
        Stock"), of Geron Corporation (the "Company"), of which 600,000 shares are
        being registered hereunder. The 2002 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2002
        Plan") authorizes the issuance of 17,579,603 shares of Common Stock of the
        Company, of which 2,000,000 shares are being registered
      hereunder.
  (2)
  Pursuant to Rule
        416(a), this registration statement (the "Registration Statement") shall
        also cover any additional shares of Common Stock which become issuable
        under the Plan by reason of any stock dividend, stock split,
        recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected without the
        receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of the
        outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock.
  (3)
  Estimated solely for
        the purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h)
        and (c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
        Act"), and is based on the average ($8.63) of the high ($8.77) and low
        ($8.49) sales prices of the Company's Common Stock, as reported on the
        Nasdaq Global Market on July 29, 2009.
  (4)
  Each share of Common
        Stock being registered hereunder, if issued prior to the termination by
        the Company of its Rights Agreement dated as of July 20, 2001, will
        include one preferred share purchase right. Prior to the occurrence of
        certain events, the preferred share purchase rights will not be
        exercisable or evidenced separately from the Common
    Stock.
  This Registration Statement
        will become effective upon filing in accordance with Rule 462 under the
        Securities Act.
  Proposed sale to take place as soon
  after the effective date of the Registration Statement as stock is issued
  under the Purchase Plan and options granted under the 2002 Plan are
  exercised.
  Total Pages 9
  Exhibit Index on
  Page 7
  REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES
  On September
  23, 1996, Geron Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Geron" or the "Company")
  filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-12487 (the
  "First Purchase Plan Registration Statement"), with the Securities and Exchange
  Commission (the "Commission") relating to an aggregate of 300,000 shares of the
  Company's common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "Common Stock") for
  issuance from time to time in connection with the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase
  Plan (as amended, "the Purchase Plan"). On July 23, 2003, the Company filed a
  Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-107276 (the "Second
  Purchase Plan Registration Statement"), with the Commission relating to an
  additional 300,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the Purchase Plan. The
  Purchase Plan authorizes the issuance of 1,200,000 shares of Common Stock. Under
  this Registration Statement, the Company is hereby registering an additional
  600,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the Purchase Plan, none of which
  has been issued as of the date of this Registration Statement.
  On July 3,
  2002, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.
  333-91916 (the "First EIP Registration Statement"), with the Commission relating
  to an aggregate of 7,000,000 shares of Common Stock to be offered and sold under
  the 2002 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended, the "2002 Plan"). On October 7, 2004, the
  Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-119601
  (the "Second EIP Registration Statement"), with the Commission relating to an
  additional 579,603 shares of Common Stock issuable under the 2002 Plan. On
  August 5, 2005, the Company filed a Registration on Statement on Form S-8,
  Registration No. 333-127255 (the "Third EIP Registration Statement"), with the
  Commission relating to an additional 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock issuable
  under the 2002 Plan. On August 4, 2006, the Company filed a Registration
  Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-136330 (the "Fourth EIP Registration
  Statement"), with the Commission relating to an additional 2,000,000 shares of
  Common Stock issuable under the 2002 Plan. On August 1, 2007, the Company filed
  a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-145042 (the "Fifth
  EIP Registration Statement"), with the Commission relating to an additional
  2,000,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the 2002 Plan. On August 1,
  2008, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No.
  333-152725 (the "Sixth EIP Registration Statement"), with the Commission
  relating to an additional 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under the
  2002 Plan. The 2002 Plan authorizes the issuance of 17,579,603 shares of Common
  Stock. The Company is hereby registering an additional 2,000,000 shares of
  Common Stock issuable under the 2002 Plan, none of which has been issued as of
  the date of this Registration Statement.
  Pursuant to
  Instruction E of Form S-8, the contents of the First Purchase Plan Registration
  Statement, Second Purchase Plan Registration Statement, First EIP Registration
  Statement, Second EIP Registration Statement, Third EIP Registration Statement,
  Fourth EIP Registration Statement, Fifth EIP Registration Statement and Sixth
  EIP Registration Statement are incorporated by reference in this Registration
  Statement on Form S-8.
  PART I
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION
  10(a) PROSPECTUS
  The
  information called for in Part I of the Form S-8 is not being filed with or
  included in this Form S-8 (by incorporation by reference or otherwise) in
  accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission.
  2
  PART II
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by
  Reference
  The
  following documents filed with the Commission by Geron are incorporated as of
  their respective dates in this Registration Statement by reference:
  Geron's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
    ended December 31, 2008, filed with the Commission on February 27,
    2009;
  Geron's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the
    Commission on January 23, 2009, January 28, 2009, February 12, 2009, February
    12, 2009, February 17, 2009, March 30, 2009, April 27, 2009 and July 2,
    2009;
  Geron's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
    three months ended March 31, 2009, filed with the Commission on April 30,
    2009;
  Geron's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
    three and six months ended June 30, 2009, filed with the Commission on July
    31, 2009;
  the description of Geron preferred share purchase
    rights, contained in Geron's Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of July 20,
    2001, filed with the Commission on July 23, 2001, and any amendment or report
    filed with the Commission for purposes of updating the description;
    and
  the description of Geron's common stock contained
    in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 000-21643) filed with the
    Commission on October 30, 1996 and Form 8-A (File No.
  000-21643) filed with the Commission on May 11, 2004 under Section
    12(g) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including
    all material incorporated by reference therein and any subsequently filed
    amendments and reports updating such description.
  All
  documents filed by Geron pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates
  that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities
  then remaining unsold are incorporated by reference in this Registration
  Statement and are a part hereof from the date of filing such documents. Any
  statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
  reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of
  this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or
  in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
  incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
  statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
  or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
  Item 4. Description of Securities
  Not applicable.
  Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and
  Counsel
  Not applicable.
  Item 6. Indemnification of Directors
  and Officers
  Section
  145(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL")
  provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a
  party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
  completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
  administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in
  the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
  director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at
  the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
  another corporation or enterprise, against expenses, judgments, fines and
  amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
  connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in good faith
  and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
  best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
  proceeding, had no cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
  3
  Section
  145(b) of the DGCL provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any person
  who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
  pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of corporation to procure
  a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person acted in any of
  the capacities set forth above, against expenses actually and reasonably
  incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such
  action or suit if he or she acted under similar standards to those set forth
  above, except that no indemnification may be made in respect to any claim, issue
  or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the
  corporation unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or
  suit was brought shall determine that despite the adjudication of liability, but
  in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and
  reasonably entitled to be indemnified for such expenses which the court shall
  deem proper.
  Section 145
  of the DGCL further provides that to the extent a director or officer of a
  corporation has been successful in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding
  referred to in subsection (a) and (b) or in the defense of any claim, issue or
  matter therein, he or she shall be indemnified against expenses actually and
  reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith; that indemnification
  provided for by Section 145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to
  which the indemnified party may be entitled; and that the corporation may
  purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a director or officer of the
  corporation against any liability asserted against such officer or director and
  incurred by him or her in any such capacity or arising out of his or her status
  as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or
  her against such liabilities under Section 145.
  As permitted
  by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, our Certificate of Incorporation provides that
  a director shall not be liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages
  for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. However, this provision does not
  eliminate or limit the liability of a director for acts or omissions not in good
  faith or for breaching his or her duty of loyalty, engaging in intentional
  misconduct or knowingly violating the law, paying a dividend or approving a
  stock repurchase which was illegal, or obtaining an improper personal benefit. A
  provision of this type has no effect on the availability of equitable remedies,
  such as injunction or rescission, for breach of fiduciary duty. Our Certificate
  of Incorporation requires that directors and officers be indemnified to the
  maximum extent permitted by Delaware law.
  Item 7. Exemption from Registration
  Claimed
  Not applicable.
  Item 8. Exhibits
  A list of
  exhibits filed with this Registration Statement is set forth in the Exhibit
  Index on page 7 and is incorporated herein by reference.
  4
  Item 9. Undertakings
  (a) The undersigned registrant
  hereby undertakes:
  (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
  being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
  (i) To include any prospectus
  required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
  (ii) To reflect in the prospectus
  any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration
  Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
  individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
  information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the
  foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
  total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
  registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
  offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC
  pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price
  represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price
  set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective
  Registration Statement; and
  (iii) To include any material
  information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in
  this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this
  Registration Statement;
  provided, however
  , that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
  information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
  paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
  Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
  (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under
  the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a
  new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
  offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
  bona fide
  offering thereof.
  (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
  amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
  termination of the offering.
  (b) The
  undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
  liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual
  report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and,
  where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report
  pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference
  in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new Registration
  Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
  bona fide
  offering thereof.
  (c) Insofar
  as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
  permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant
  pursuant to existing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised
  that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public
  policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
  the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
  the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
  officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
  action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
  person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will,
  unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
  precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
  such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
  Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
  5
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to
  the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has
  reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing
  on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its
  behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Menlo Park,
  State of California, on August 4, 2009.
  GERON CORPORATION
  By:
  /s/ David L. Greenwood
  David L.
        Greenwood
  Executive Vice
        President and
  Chief Financial
        Officer
  POWER OF ATTORNEY
  KNOW ALL MEN
  BY THESE PRESENT, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
  appoints Thomas B. Okarma and David L. Greenwood, and each of them, his or her
  true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of
  substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place
  and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
  post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same,
  with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
  Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them,
  full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
  requisite and necessary to be done in order to effectuate the same as fully, to
  all intents and purposes, as he or she might or could do in person, hereby
  ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
  any of them, or their or his substitutes or substitute may lawfully do or cause
  to be done by virtue hereof.
  Pursuant to
  the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been
  signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date
  indicated.
  Signature
  Title
  Date
  /s/ Thomas B. Okarma
  President, Chief
        Executive Officer and
  August 4,
        2009
  Thomas B.
        Okarma
  Director
        (Principal Executive Officer)
  /s/ David L. Greenwood
  Executive Vice
        President and Chief Financial
  August 4,
        2009
  David L.
        Greenwood
  Officer
        (Principal Financial and Accounting
  Officer)
  /s/ Alexander E. Barkas
  Director
  August 4,
        2009
  Alexander E.
        Barkas
  /s/ Karin Eastham
  Director
  August 4,
        2009
  Karin
        Eastham
  /s/ Edward V. Fritzky
  Director
  August 4,
        2009
  Edward V.
        Fritzky
  /s/ Charles J. Homcy
  Director
  August 4,
        2009
  Charles J.
        Homcy
  Director
  Thomas D.
        Kiley
  /s/ Patrick J. Zenner
  Director
  August 4,
        2009
  Patrick J.
        Zenner
  6
  EXHIBIT INDEX
  EXHIBIT
  NUMBER
  DESCRIPTION
  PAGE
  4.1
  +
  Amended and Restated 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  N/A
  4.2
  ++
  Amended and Restated 2002 Equity
        Incentive Plan
  N/A
  4.3
  +++
  Rights Agreement dated as of July 20, 2001, between Geron
        Corporation
  and U.S. Stock
        Transfer Corporation, as Rights Agent
  N/A
  5.1
  Opinion of
        Latham & Watkins LLP
  8
  23.1
  Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1
        hereto)
  N/A
  23.2
  Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting
        Firm
  9
  24.1
  Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to this
        Registration Statement)
  6
  ____________________
  (+)
  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's
        Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009
        filed on July 31, 2009.
  (++)
  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's
        Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31,
        2007 filed on April 30, 2007.
  (+++)
  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current
        Report on Form 8-K filed on July 23, 2001.
  7