Virus Turns Skin Cells into Stem Cells

[alextemplet]

http://www.wired.com/medtech/stemcells/news/2007/11/skin_cell

We were talking about this article in my micro lab yesterday; this is amazing! In a nutshell, researchers have discovered how to use a virus to reprogram normal human cells into stem cells. This could possibly allow us to reap all of the benefits of stem-cell research without having to resort to the controversial method of obtaining stem cells from embryos. In my opinion, this could put the current embryonic stem cell debate to rest by making it completely unnecessary. While I don't mean to discuss here the ethical pros and cons of embryonic stem cells, I think if we can obtain all of the benefits without having to resort to politically and ethically controversial techniques, I don't see why not. If this new method proves viable, it could open the door to much more funding for stem cell research as all of the groups that are trying to block funding would no longer have a moral reason to do so.

Granted, research into this new method is still in its early stages, but if it works, this could be great!

[MrMistery]

Even better, no stem cells.
http://harvardscience.harvard.edu/found ... l-directly

[alextemplet]

Wow, that is better! Hopefully research like this can lead to positive results to help lots of people.