But the research has proved controversial. Korean scientist Hwang Woo-suk claimed in 2005 that he had created such cell lines, but the study was later discredited. Meanwhile, critics have objected on ethical grounds, saying it is wrong to use embryos for research.
Some scientists argue that clones might not be required to harvest stem cells. Last year, researchers in Japan and the US were able to "rewind" adult cells back to their embryonic state using a new technique.
Professor Jack Price of King's College, London, is an expert on neural stem cells. He too said the Californian experiment was a small step forward but not a breakthrough.
"This constitutes technical progress," he said. "It shows that the approach using human embryos does still have promise and it does provide justification for continuing that avenue of research."
TECHNIQUES FOR MAKING 'STEM CELLS'
Therapeutic cloning produces stem cells which can develop into different types of body cell, making them ideal for research into treatment of disease.
But this technology involves the creation and destruction of embryos, which is ethically controversial. The stem cells created also run the risk of being rejected by the body.
The new technology, nuclear reprogramming, creates stem-like cells from the patient's own cells, avoiding both these problems
Some scientists argue that clones might not be required to harvest stem cells. Last year, researchers in Japan and the US were able to "rewind" adult cells back to their embryonic state using a new technique.
Professor Jack Price of King's College, London, is an expert on neural stem cells. He too said the Californian experiment was a small step forward but not a breakthrough.
"This constitutes technical progress," he said. "It shows that the approach using human embryos does still have promise and it does provide justification for continuing that avenue of research."
TECHNIQUES FOR MAKING 'STEM CELLS'
Therapeutic cloning produces stem cells which can develop into different types of body cell, making them ideal for research into treatment of disease.
But this technology involves the creation and destruction of embryos, which is ethically controversial. The stem cells created also run the risk of being rejected by the body.
The new technology, nuclear reprogramming, creates stem-like cells from the patient's own cells, avoiding both these problems
No comments:
Post a Comment