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The argument in favor of embryonic stem cell research has been that embryonic stem cells have the potential to become any kind of cell, whereas adult stem cells are set; that is, they can only be one kind of cell.
This means that the potential to treat various ailments and diseases is far greater with embryonic stems cell than with adult stem cells, do to their malleability. The ethical concern, voiced by many, is that embryonic stem cell research requires the destruction of an embryo and therefor the taking of an innocent human life.
But new research suggest that there is a way to reap the benefits of embryonic stem cell research without destroying an embryo. According to the BBC:
A UK and Canadian team have manipulated human skin cells to act like embryonic stem cells without using viruses - making them safer for use in humans.
The cells are reprogrammed by the insertion of four genes which are then removed once the process is complete, they report in Nature.
While a significant step it is early days, the Edinburgh-based experts say.
Much of the work on stem cells has focused on those taken from embryos as they have an unlimited capacity to become any of the 220 types of cell in the human body - a so-called pluripotent state.
But campaigners have objected to their use on the grounds that it is unethical to destroy embryos in the name of science.
It is a step towards the practical use of reprogrammed cells in medicine, perhaps even eliminating the need for human embryos as a source of stem cells
Dr Keisuke Kaji, study leader
In 2007, teams in Japan and the US managed to genetically modify skin cells to be pluripotent, opening the way for a new source of stem cells for use in research.
However, the technique used viruses to genetically modify the cells, which means there was a risk they could become cancerous and so would not be safe for medical use.
The latest study reports a way of delivering foreign genes to reprogramme the cells without using viruses in mouse and human cells.
Furthermore, the team was able to remove the genes afterwards
If successful, we may be able to use all the science of stem cell research without any of the negative ethical implications. This would be a huge advance.
Posted March 1st, 2009 by mattwion
