(Source: NY Times) - Scientists in Japan and the US reported that they could make human skin cells behave like embryonic stem cells - able to grow indefinitely and potentially turn into any type of body tissue.
The discovery could provide an unlimited supply of stem cells void of the controversial issue of destroying human embryos. Scientists are hopeful that stems cells will lead to answers addressing disorders such as ALS, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.
But there still remains the challenge of converting the raw stem cells into useful medical treatments, like replacement tissue for damaged hearts and brains. Much work lies ahead.
"Even though we have this nice new sources of cells, it doesn't solve all the downstream problems of getting them into the body in useful form," said James Thomson of the University of Wisconsin.
Go to full story: nytimes.com
