Cloned Mice Created From Fully Differentiated Cells, A Milestone In Cloning Research: Studies find differentiated cells are more efficient than stem c

Source: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Date: October 2, 2006

Summary:

New research dismisses the notion that adult stem cells are necessary for successful animal cloning, proving instead that cells that have completely evolved to a specific type not only can be used for cloning purposes, but they may be a better and more efficient starting point. As proof, researchers report they created two mouse pups from a type of blood cell that itself is incapable of dividing to produce a second generation of its own kind.

Commentary: Maybe this advancement will have applications for creating ethical cloned stem cells that will have effective clinical applications for treating human medical conditions, diseases and injuries.