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Human Embryos, Eggs Not Needed in Process That Could Change Objections to Stem Cell Research

Posted on: Wednesday, 24 August 2005, 00:00 CDT

WASHINGTON - Scientists for the first time have turned ordinary skin cells into what appear to be embryonic stem cells - without having to use human eggs or make new human embryos in the process, as has always been required in the past, a Harvard research team announced Sunday.

The technique uses laboratory grown human embryonic stem cells - such as the ones that President Bush has already approved for use by federally funded researchers - to "reprogram" the genes in a person's skin cell, turning that skin cell into an embryonic stem cell itself.

The approach, which is to be published later this week in the journal Science but was made public on the journal's Web site, is still in an early stage of development. But if further studies confirm its usefulness, it could offer an end run around the heated social and religious debate that has for years overshadowed the field of human embryonic stem cell research.

Since the new stem cells in this technique are essentially rejuvenated versions of a person's own skin cells, the DNA in those new stem cells matches the DNA of the person who provided the skin cells. In theory at least, that means that any tissues grown from those newly minted stem cells could be transplanted into the person to treat a disease without much risk that they would be rejected, because they would constitute an exact genetic match.

Until now, the only way to turn a person's ordinary cell into a "personalized" stem cell such as this was to turn that ordinary cell into an embryo first and later destroy the embryo to retrieve the new stem cells growing inside - a process widely known as "therapeutic cloning."

That prospect, like others in the promising arena of human embryonic stem cell research, has stirred strong emotions among those who believe that days-old human embryos should not be intentionally destroyed.

Embryonic stem cells are capable of becoming virtually any kind of cell or tissue and are being intensely studied around the world as the core of a newly emerging field of regenerative medicine, in which researchers hope to grow new tissues to revitalize ailing organs. Although human embryonic stem cells have never been tested in humans, some researchers expect human clinical trials to begin within a year or so.

If some lingering, and potentially daunting, uncertainties can be dealt with successfully, the new technique "may circumvent some of the logistical and societal concerns" that have hampered much of the research in this country.

More immediately, the new work could have an impact on Capitol Hill, where the Senate is poised to vote on legislation - already passed by the House - that would loosen Bush's restrictions on human embryonic research.

Source: Charleston Daily Mail

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