http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1685965,00.html?cnn=yes
In the journal Cell, Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University reports success in turning back the clock on cheek cells from a middle-aged woman, while James Thomson of University of Wisconsin, the first to isolate human embryonic stem cells, achieved the same feat with foreskin cells from a newborn baby. The achievements completely reset the boundaries of the stem cell debate, because both groups generated cells that looked and acted like embryonic stem cells, but without the need for eggs, embryos or ethical quandaries about where the cells came from. “I think this is the future of stem cell research,” says Dr. John Gearhart, the biologist who first discovered human fetal embryonic stem cells. “It’s absolutely terrific.” What’s more, these advances are only the latest in a year’s worth of exciting firsts in the field. Earlier this month, scientists in Seattle successfully nurtured a line of embryonic stem cells from monkeys using the same process that created Dolly. The feat brings us one step closer to being able to generate patient-specific stem cells to treat diseases in human patients, since primates are evolutionarily closer to humans than mice, in whom the process was tested.
This apparently will end the debate over stem cell research, and once again science will be able to progress without mythologists complaining and campaigning to stop them — all in an effort to gain money and power. Even a moronic theocrat will be unable to stem discoveries, all of which make humanity a little less dependant on deities for answers. Now, as science moves forward, and makes life-saving discoveries, we will be able to quantify how many lives were lost (or will be lost) due to the interference by the religious right. Science rocks. Congratulations to the geniuses who save lives – for real.
cool! first post!
I can’t wait to see what Bush does now. Will he allow this new research or prove that he is against science by vetoing a new measure.
Time to show your true colors, Mr. W.
bush has praised the discovery.there are still problems to work out but this a giant step forward.
Yup Religion has nothing left. I guess Japan will have the international patents on this process.
Butt cheek or face cheek, I wonder?
Cuz, I got some of the former I’d like to donate to research.
Also, I think I just heard a cry of “Foreskins are sacred!” rumbling in the distance.
karen
you are a goddess of joy.and i didn’t know you could read the popes mind.
//Also, I think I just heard a cry of “Foreskins are sacred!” rumbling in the distance.//
King Saul asked 100 foreskins in return for his daughter in marriage. David zealously pared off 200 Philistine prepuces to win his bride. –I Samuel 19:25-27.
Mwahahaha, why did he not stop at 100!? Also, adult foreskins don’t work in stem cell research, so King Saul has no excuse for his pervrted foreskin fettish.
That must be a typo, the verses are actually I Samuel 18:25-27…. mwahahaha!
Not even close.
Embryonic stem cells are not going to be this easily replaced by differentiated cells induced to have some characteristics of pluripotent stem cells. Cells appear to have the potential for a finite number of mitotic divisions. These cells have already undergone a number of cell divisions and their lifetimes as progenitor cells will likely be limited. Furthermore the use of a retrovirus to introduce the oncogenes needed to reverse differentiate (transform) these epidermal cells has many problems related to safety.
You are all jumping the gun here big-time. I smell the stench of right wing politics.
“epidermal cells” should read “skin fibroblast cells”
hmmmm. So I wonder in the meantime, what is happening to all those babys (embryonic cells) that are not being used. Obviously, still being thrown in the garbage. This will forever make me sick that the fundies have caused millions to suffer and die for a BS cause.
great read all
what…is stem cell research a hobby or profession….
A little OT:
futhermore….
It seems that here in NC, we don’t allow child abuse in schools!! You have to wait until they are at a certain level of development before trying to brainwash them…
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/2069375/
I hear they’re yummy sauteed in olive oil and oregano with a touch of garlic
Let science PREVAIL!!! glad to see we’re winning as always!
I’m with What here. We’re jumping the gun.
Certainly this is a great discovery, but it still seems likely that Embryonic stem cells will remain more useful than any that have been harvested after being used. What (the person) is right about the limited number of divisions a piece of DNA can undergo.
This is like being handed a dull knife and being told it’s as good as a sharp one. Certainly still useful, but not quite the same.
Charlie,
You asked What if stem cell research is a hobby or profession. I can’t answer that. But I can say that everyone should read up on them at least a bit. They could well turn out to be the most important medical breakthrough since vaccines.
For me, it’s neither hobby nor profession, it’s vital. Especially in light of the fact that some people are fighting it as strongly as they can.
Every day wasted in this field is a day that could have saved your life.
There is a snag with the new method. Scientists are concerned over cancer developing by using these cells, since the DNA was modified.
The safest and most logical and quickest way to get from point a to b is a straight line. It is known which meathod is better. It is xtians that are the problem.
No matter what the distinctions in regards to stem cell research,Dave is right about this
Because of the fundies, we are rapidly falling behind the rest of the world when it comes to science (and it’s associated benefits).
Deep Diver,
I think too many people forget (or refused to consider) this
Kinda reminds me of what is being attempted vis-a-vis our Constitution.
Charlie
As I have said in the past I’m an M.D. with a Ph.D. in physics. What I know about stem cells was mostly learned in medical school and a bit of reading along the way. I’m not an expert – just someone that knows enough to ask good questions.
Folks this really smells like the right wing political machine trying hard to remove stem cells from the political debate where it is a losing issue for them.
The truth is that fertility clinics destroy far more fertilized eggs than any research lab ever will. It is allowed because of sympathy for those that want children, something christians support.(be fruitful and multiply) They are anything BUT consistent. They also allow a female’s body to miscarry without any thought to it being criminal, even if the mother abused her own health. It seems that only some human cells are actually included as important and having an immortal soul.
Why not just show us a fertile egg actually has a soul? If they can do this, I will help them shut down labs, fertility clinics and imprison pregnant women that smoke or do drugs. Till that day I see no need to worry.
Another point that needs to be made is that even if we can get adult cells to become programmable stem cells. How exactly do you get these cells to become liver cells? Pancreas cells? Heart cells? The point is to replace damaged tissues. We have a ways to go to reach this milestone. I would prefer the ability to use adult cells that are an exact duplicate of my cells to do replacement. Close is not good enough, I want duplicate cells. Tissue rejection is bad news. We need the ability to look for these answers any way we can. We have to really understand the entire process.
Look who’s taking all the credit:
From CNN.com
He (Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, a physician) added, “This breakthrough helps vindicate President Bush’s policy and his vetoes of Congress’ short-sighted and outdated approach to stem cell research. History will note the wisdom of President Bush’s refusal to set a dangerous precedent that could not be easily undone.”
The only reason for religon to stay alive is the fact that scieance can prove itself wrong. Once the world was flat, but then that was changed. once an atom was inseprable but one day that was provn wrong with he destruction of whole town with one bomb. Then religon got attacked with carbon dating, the “smoking gun” of the big bang, and much more. They must be realying on some ominaus resoultion from the empty space in the sky to give them somthing to prove this wrong.
what a long wait they will have.