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Stem-Cell-Like Cells Produced From Skin

Posted by kdawson on from the end-of-the-moral-debate dept.

MikShapi writes "Skin cells can now be turned into something resembling stem cells. A genetic modification to four genes using a viral vector reverses differentiating, making the cells revert to a stem-cell state, capable for becoming any other cell in the body. The researchers are calling them 'iPS cells' or 'induced pluripotent stem cells.' In their experiments, iPS cells in the lab turned into nerve cells, heart muscle, and other tissues. The research was published in Cell and Nature by teams from the universities of Kyoto and Wisconsin. The article notes that if the new method proves successful, 'we can disconnect the whole stem cell debate from the culture war, from battles over embryo politics and abortion rights.' And, should this technique be adopted, stem cells will henceforth be abundant, easier and cheaper to come by for research and therapeutic purposes."

5 of 265 comments (clear)

  1. follow-up story... by MrAndrews · · Score: 4, Funny

    And of course this discovery can't go without political interference... the White House is already condemning the discovery, calling for a ban.

    --
    The world's only surviving livewriter.
  2. Re:nigger by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    then don't fuck them?

  3. As mentioned on Fark... by Linux_ho · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now all those people getting abortions in the name of science can finally stop.

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    include $sig;
    1;
  4. Futurama by Reason58 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Farnsworth: As a man it has become too much of a chore for me to clean out my wrinkles each day. Is it true that stem cells may fight the aging process?

    Geneworks Woman: Well yes, in the same way an infant may fight Muhammed Ali! But -

    Farnsworth: One pound of stem cells please.

  5. Re:The science! by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yep. Except the stem cells are created by adding genes to skin cells via a virus. I wonder if this breakthrough will be held back with bible-thumpers claiming God wants skin cells to remain skin cells and setting back the research for ANOTHER decade.

    I would guess it more likely that the breakthrough will be held back by people who don't want their skin to turn to stem cells before their eyes because of some virus escaped from the research labs.

    Then again, someone's probably already claimed movie rights on this and will sue anyone who voices this idea.