Embryonic stem cells made without embryos
November 22nd, 2007 | by David Reiner, M.D. | 
In a recent breakthrough, researchers have transformed ordinary human skin cells into batches of cells that behave like embryonic stem cells. These unique types of cells have the special ability to be directed to become more specialized cell lines, such as forming new brain, nerve or heart tissue. The significance of this is that patients who have had a stroke or traumatic brain injury for instance can be treated with this type of cell, to aid in generating new brain tissue and recover in ways never thought possible in the past. This type of research is also focusing on using stem cells to help patients who have had a prior heart attack to regenerate new heart tissue to make a damaged heart stronger.
Prior to this experiment, these embryonic stem cells were only able to be obtained from human embryos. This work represents a tremendous scientific breakthrough. Researcher agree though that it will be years though before this technique can be used to actually treat people. This milestone will make it possible to eventually carry out these types of procedures and treatments without the debate about the use of human embryonic tissue.
Reference: Reuters November 21, 2007
Tags: research, stem cells