Non-Embryonic Stem Cells Developed From Skin Cells

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."

Comments

Re:They still have to take living tissue

[sed quid in infernos]

This new technique isn't a workaround. It's an important step to fulfilling the ultimate potential of stem cell therapy. Something like this skin-cell technique will be necessary for the creation of truly effective stem cell treatments. Stem cells formed from the patient's own tissue will prevent a host of rejection-related problems. Stem cells from an embryo have a different genotype and thus can cause more rejection issues.

Re:Got a pound of flesh? Like it being ripped out?

[Archangel Michael]

I'm pro science. I think everyone should be doing nuclear experiments in their basement like the http://www.dangerouslaboratories.org/radscout.html"> Nuclear Boy Scout. After all, everyone trying to prevent him from experimenting is just plain anti science.

Or is it that all science needs boundaries and you just disagree with where that boundary has been set?

Just because someone disagrees with you doesn't mean they are "anti science". Though throwing the whole "Anti" tag on things seems like common way to be dismissive without actually making any soft of point. Which makes you as bad as the Christian Fundies. Maybe worse, because at least they don't pretend to be logical.

Re:Victim of Language?

[bflong]

For those that believe that a human life begins at conception, there is no moral difference between an embryo and a zygote.