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Chinese scientists have bred mice from cells that might offer an alternative to embryonic stem cells, producing the most definitive evidence yet that the technique could help sidestep many of the explosive ethical issues engulfing the controversial field but raising alarm that the advance could lead to human cloning and designer babies.
In papers published online Thursday by two scientific journals, separate teams of researchers from Beijing and Shanghai reported that they had for the first time created virtual genetic duplicates of mice using skin cells from adult animals that had been coaxed in the laboratory into the equivalent of embryonic stem cells.
The findings were welcomed by both supporters and opponents of human embryonic stem cell research as a long-sought vital step in proving that the cells could be as useful as embryonic cells for studying and curing many illnesses.
The results come just as the Obama administration has eased federal restrictions on government funding for embryonic stem cell research and could influence how to prioritize millions of dollars in new spending in the field.
But because of concerns... see more
In papers published online Thursday by two scientific journals, separate teams of researchers from Beijing and Shanghai reported that they had for the first time created virtual genetic duplicates of mice using skin cells from adult animals that had been coaxed in the laboratory into the equivalent of embryonic stem cells.
The findings were welcomed by both supporters and opponents of human embryonic stem cell research as a long-sought vital step in proving that the cells could be as useful as embryonic cells for studying and curing many illnesses.
The results come just as the Obama administration has eased federal restrictions on government funding for embryonic stem cell research and could influence how to prioritize millions of dollars in new spending in the field.
But because of concerns... see more