Source: Bloomberg News
Date: June 6, 2007
Summary:
Bloomberg News covers a new experiment in which stem cells with embryonic stem cell-like traits were created out destroying embryos, a breakthrough that could diffuse the ethical controversy which has dogged the field of embryonic stem cell research:
"Stem cells may be produced without destroying embryos or requiring women to donate eggs, say scientists from Harvard University, California and Japan. Harvard researchers led by Kevin Eggan showed in mice they can make copies of cells, using a new version of the cloning process used for Dolly the sheep 11 years ago. Three other groups were able to take ordinary skin cells from mice and get them to act like embryonic cells, with their unlimited potential to become other cell types. The findings, if reproduced in humans, may mute criticism from religious leaders and the U.S. government, which has limited federal funding for scientists who work with most embryonic cells."
