Scientists find a non-controversial way to produce stem cells They're already calling it the biological Holy Grail, the equivalent of the Wright Brothers' first aeroplane flight and a bit like learning how to turn lead into gold. But even if one dismisses the hype, the latest discovery in stem cell research is truly a stunning breakthrough by any standards.
Two teams of researchers at Japan's Kyoto University and the University of Wisconsin in the United States have succeeded in developing a simple method of producing stem cells from human skin which can be carried out at most fully equipped research labs. Using deactivated viruses, the scientists managed to transport four key genes into the nucleus of the skin cells which reprogrammed them into cells virtually identical to embryonic stem cells. And stem cells, as we all know, are the master cells which have the capacity to transform into any of the body's entire repertoire of heart, liver, brain, bone and muscle cells. Thus they are seen as a potential source of replacement tissues for people who are injured or ill - including those suffering from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. Also, stem cell treatments drawn from a person's own skin would eliminate the danger of immune system rejection. Of far greater import, though, is the fact that till today the only way stem cells could be obtained was from embryos which had to be destroyed while they were harvested. The new discovery neatly sidesteps this hassle area and deftly diffuses the huge political firestorm generated over the morality of stem cell research. The method avoids the use of human reproductive materials altogether - no egg, no embryo and no cloning technique at all. Of course, there are still problems to be worked out with the reprogramming procedure which could take many years before the technique is made safe for use on humans. A basic question to solve is how similar these cells are in behaviour and potential to regular embryonic cells that scientists have been studying for nearly a decade now. Another is how to avoid the potential for cancer since the gene-carrying viruses disrupt the DNA of the cells. But at least as far as ethical bans and restrictive government fundings are concerned, they've been blown away. This is the best news yet for an area of research that can change the face of medicine forever. Mark Jackson 501-840-2291 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.16.7/1151 - Release Date: 11/25/2007 4:24 PM
