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Non-Embryonic Stem Cells Developed From Skin Cells

Posted by Soulskill on from the won't-somebody-think-of-the-epidermis dept.

juliangamble writes "Scientists reported Thursday they had developed a technique that can quickly create safe alternatives to human embryonic stem cells, a major advance toward developing a less controversial approach for treating a host of medical problems. The researchers published a series of experiments showing they can use laboratory-made versions of naturally occurring biological signals to quickly convert ordinary skin cells into cells that appear virtually identical to embryonic stem cells. Moreover, the same strategy can then coax those cells to morph into specific tissues that would be a perfect match for transplantation into patients."

3 of 175 comments (clear)

  1. They still have to take living tissue by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    The great thing about using stem cells from fetii is that for the brief time that they are taking the cells, the fetus is still biologically alive, so the stem cells taken are extremely high quality.

    Skin cells cannot be taken without pain to the patient. Since it requires that the skin cells themselves be fresh and alive, the patient much undergo some pain while the cells are extracted.

    We have so many fetii who will ultimately be thrown out with the rest of the biomedical waste. Why waste them when they could save lives? Religious extremists are forcing us to waste time finding workarounds to their ridiculous anti-science/anti-medicine policies.

    On a side note, I'm worried that these policies will become stricter come November when the Tea Party looks likely to make significant inroads in Congress.

  2. What's a Lunatic To Do? by b4upoo · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    The right wing, self appointed, pseudo morality police, other wise known as lunatics have been throwing up the protect the fetus related objections for years. Now if we have an easy way to get cells that will work as well as embryonic stem cells they will have to invent another excuse for trying to block progress. Frankly the sick suckers should be dragged into the streets and lynched.

  3. Re:"appear"... "virtually"? by h4rr4r · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Listen you brain damaged mouth breather, embryonic stem cells come from tissue that will be destroyed anyway. This is because it is the left overs from fertilization treatments.

    NONE OF IT EVER CAME FROM ABORTED BABIES. If it had there would have been some slim chance your mother would have taken the cash and spared the world you.