Safe Stem Cells Produced From Adult Cells

hackingbear writes "Wired, citing a paper published in Science magazine, reports that Harvard scientists may have found a safer way of giving a flake of skin the biologically alchemical powers of embryonic stem cells by turning adult cells into versatile, embryonic-like cells without causing permanent damage. The technique involves 'adding cell-reprogramming genes to adenoviruses, a type of virus that infects cells without affecting their DNA.' Four-month trials on mice demonstrated that the resulting stem cells are free from unpredictable cancer-inducing mutations. This is definitely a breakthrough in stem cell research." Additional coverage is available at Yahoo, and Science hosts the research paper, although you'll need a subscription to see more than the abstract.

Re:Further Research

[Tubal-Cain]

...missing an arm and leg.

Did he need to pay for gas?

Re:Only on mice, for now

[flyingsquid]

Instead we're faced with the new controversy that every skin cell you shed can be considered an embryo that, with the correct application of medical science, can now become a child.

Exfoliation is MURDER!!!

Re:Further Research

[Thaddeaus]

I wasn't, but now that you mention it....

Re:Further Research

[couchslug]

"We need to find a short blond kid missing an arm and leg."

Or make one.

Re:Only on mice, for now

[somersault]

It's okay - you're worth it

Re:Hmmmm

[Anonymous Coward]

Look out behind you! In your closet! Under your bed! It's "the republicans"!!!!!

Re:Stem cells in teeth

[raistlinwolf]

I'm looking forward to thinkgeek "kiss me, I have BC3S-L1" hats and shirts.