Adult cells in mice shown to mimic embryonic stem cells

Reuters ^ | 3/24/06 | Mikey_1962

[Mikey_1962]

LONDON (Reuters) - German scientists said on Friday they had isolated sperm-producing stem cells that have similar properties to embryonic stem cells from adult mice.

If the same type of cells in humans show similar qualities the researchers from the Georg-August-University of Goettingen believe they could be used in stem cell research which would remove the ethical dilemma associated with stem cells derived from human embryos.

"These isolated spermatogonial stem cells respond to culture conditions and acquire embryonic stem cell properties," Gerd Hasenfuss and his colleagues said in report published online by the journal Nature.

Stem cells are master cells that have the potential to develop into any cell type in the body. Scientists believe they could act as a type of repair system to provide new therapies for illnesses ranging from diabetes to Parkinson's.

But their use is controversial because the most promising stem cells for treating human disease are derived from very early human embryos left over from fertility treatments.

[Mikey_1962]

If Embryonice stem cells are so great why is all PRIVATE research money dedicated to adult stem cells?

[Stirner]

The key advantage of adult derived stem cells is that individuals can be treated using their own cells and thereby avoid the possibility of tissue rejection due to an immune response (no need for immunosuppressive drugs).

[topher]

Government funding of Embryonic Stem Cells probably involve kickbacks to politicians.

Some states are financing billions of dollars in Embryonic Stem Cell Research.

Adult Stem Cell have been far more successful than Embryonic Stem Cell.

With the recent expose of the South Korean fraud in Embryonic Stem Cells, there are probably fewer than 1 in 30 successful applications of Embryonic Stem Cells versus Adult Stem Cells.

Embryonic Stem Cells have two major disadvantages:

(1) They can cause cancer (stem cells are the source of cancer - only stem cells can spread cancer). Attempts to get Embryonic Stem Cells to rapidly reproduce has resulted in the development of tumors. This is a major NEGATIVE side effect for Embryonic Stem Cells.

(2) There are no rejection problems with Adult Stem Cells if the Donor and Receipent are the same person. Some problems have arisen with Embryonic Stem Cells in terms of the body rejecting foreign cells. Adult Stem Cells taken from the Nasal passage have proven a successful therapy for a number of different problems.

Additionally, there are people, such as myself, that object to Embryonic Stem Cells on the basis of Moral Issues: The Harvesting of the parts of an unborn baby for research purposes...