Scientists Make Stem Cells From Skin Of Mice
Three separate groups of scientists working in Japan and the US have used skin cells from adult mice to make cells that are inidistinguishable from embryonic stem cells. Scientists all over the world are now racing to replicate the remarkably simple method in humans, and if successful it could one day lessen or remove the need to use embryos.The three studies are published in the early online edition of the journal Nature.
Embryonic stem cells are cells that can renew themselves indefinitely and can differentiate into any cell of the body. They have the potential to replace damaged tissue such as that found in degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s but their therapeutic use is controversial because of the ethical questions surrounding the destruction of embryos and making human clones.
Some pretty fascinating stuff. I think most people would prefer the promise of stem cell technology to be fulfilled without the necessity of creating life simply to destroy it. Even those who are fully supporting of embryonic stem cell technology would probably prefer that scenario. That this is looking more and more possible is a very good thing.
It also might be worth considering that has all of those ‘anti-science’ people who had serious ethical concerns about embryonic stem cells use not made this a moral issue, this technology wouldn’t exist.
