Reprogrammed Cells Spark Revolution

from the November 20, 2007 eNews issue

There have been several new developments this week in the field of stem cell research that could radically change the future of biotechnology.

Stem Cell "Holy Grail" Found?

Two teams of scientists, at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and Kyoto University in Japan, have successfully converted human skin cells into powerful stem cells. These new "reprogrammed" stem cells are just as powerful as embryonic stem cells and can be manipulated to become virtually any kind of human tissue. Scientists say this achievement could someday end the debate over embryonic stem cell research.

Using cells from just under the skin's surface, scientists were able to create stem cells that are virtually indistinguishable from embryonic stem cells. The cells are just as versatile as embryonic cells, but easier to obtain, more compatible, and non-controversial. Using this new technique, a person's own skin cells could be converted directly into stem cells and used to treat disease without having to destroy human embryos.

Dolly Scientist Abandons Cloning

Even staunch supporters of therapeutic cloning and embryonic stem cell research cannot deny the importance of this discovery. One such researcher, Robert Lanza of Advanced Cell Technology, admitted, "This work [turning adult skin cells into stem cells] represents a tremendous scientific milestone, the biological equivalent of the Wright brothers' first airplane. It's a bit like turning lead into gold..." Several other scientists have even described it as the greatest scientific discovery of the last 25 years.

More and more scientists are beginning to realize that embryonic stem cells aren't the answer. In fact, in a surprising turn of events, Edinburgh University's Ian Wilmut - the world-renowned cloning expert - has announced that he is abandoning his plans to clone human embryos for stem cell research. Instead, the man who brought us Dolly the sheep has decided that his time is better spent researching treatments using less-controversial adult stem cells! Wilmut says he now believes that the process of turning skin cells into stem cells is more efficient than therapeutic cloning and offers a more realistic and timely hope for treating diseases.

The Beginning of the End?

Ian Wilmut's announcement has sent shockwaves through the scientific community and it could mark the beginning of the end for embryonic stem cell research. William Hurlbut of Stanford University Medical Center, who also serves on the President's Council on Bioethics, told reporters that the ability to "reprogram" adult cells "essentially takes the stem cell issue off the political agenda."

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