Source: Bloomberg News
Posted: June 21, 2007 04:25:31 AM PDT
Summary:
Bloomberg News reports scientists at Advanced Cell Technology Inc. said they grew embryonic stem cells without harming embryos:
"Scientists said they grew colonies of human stem cells without harming the embryos from which they came, 10 months after making a similar announcement, only to acknowledge the embryos they used were destroyed. Researchers led by Robert Lanza at Alameda-based Advanced Cell Technology Inc. said they took stem cells from embryos, which were then frozen. That would allow the embryos to be used to help women who want to get pregnant. Lanza said Advanced Cell is asking the National Institutes of Health for funding to increase production.
The story also mentions the potential of these findings to end the ethical controversy that has stymied the field of embryonic stem cell research and describes the how the stem cells are derived:
"The research may help allay the concerns of some stem-cell research opponents, who say destroying an embryo in the process of extracting cells is equal to taking a life. It may also spur U.S.-funded studies of the cells, which can turn into any other cell and may one day lead to treatments for diseases including cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Obtaining the stem cells involves removing a single cell from an eight-cell human blastocyst."
