Researchers create adult stem cells with embryonic cell features

[Traveling_Home]

http://rawstory.com/news/2006/Researchers_create_adult_stem_cells_08242006.html

Washington- Japanese researchers have modified stem cells from adult mice into cells that have the promising characteristics of embryonic stem cells, according to research published in Thursday's issue of the journal Cell. The announcement is the second development this week that could help scientists overcome objections to controversial research on embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cell research has been lauded by scientists for its potential to find cures for debilitating diseases, but critics of the technique say it essentially kills a human life because scientists must destroy an embryo to create the cells.

US researchers announced Thursday in the journal Science that they had harvested embryonic stem cells without destroying the embryo.

The Japanese researchers used four factors to cause adult stem cells to behave more like embryonic stem cells, which can grow into any type of cell in the human body. The researchers have called the new stem cells "induced pluripotent stem cells," or iPS, because they also have the ability to grow into any type of cell. Pluripotent is the term for cells that can grow into any type of human cell.

If the Japanese team's research proves practical, scientists could use adult human cells with characteristics of embryonic stem cells rather than harvesting stem cells from embryos.

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[magellan]

1. It's great news

...and I hope it pans out! Kudos to the Japanese!

:toast:

[soothsayer]

2. That would be GREAT! Fingers crossed....