November 20, 2007

W WINS AGAIN:

Scientists create first embryonic stem cells from adult cells (Ian Sample, 11/20/07, Guardian Unlimited)

The race to turn ordinary skin cells into embryonic stem cells – which can be used to make any tissue in the body - has ended in a dead heat, with two groups of scientists simultaneously announcing they have achieved the feat.

The breakthrough marks the beginning of a new era for stem cell biology and may spell the end for cloning as a way to produce stem cells. [...]

Previously, scientists believed the only way to convert adult cells into embryonic stem cells was to clone them, a procedure that is extremely inefficient and involves the creation of an embryo that is destroyed when the cells are removed. The technique has attracted vehement criticism from pro-life groups, which oppose the use of embryos in research.

The new work may have its greatest impact in America where the Bush Administration has set stringent controls on stem cell research. Government-funded scientists are forbidden from working on stem cells created after August 2001, although privately funded researchers face no restrictions.


Which means it will have the least effect here, spiritually.

Posted by Orrin Judd at November 20, 2007 2:28 PM
Comments

Let me quote the last line of the actual paper:

"Human iPS cells, however, are not identical to hES cells: DNA microarray analyses detected differences between the two pluripotent stem cell lines. Further studies are essential to determine whether human iPS cells can replace hES in medical applications."

So, in other words, all the ES restrictions have done is make many smart people waste a tremendous amount of resources to generate something of questionable utility.

Posted by: Mr. Gunn at November 20, 2007 7:01 PM

Not smart, Bright.

Posted by: oj at November 20, 2007 8:58 PM

"... whether human iPS cells can replace hES in medical applications."
What are these vaunted medical applications of hES? -- I've not heard of any.

Posted by: jd watson at November 20, 2007 11:12 PM

Mr. Gunn: Perhaps no more questionable than the utility of hES cells. How is it that you know that these iPS cells aren't "better" than hES cells?

Posted by: The Other Brother at November 21, 2007 8:16 AM
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