iPS cell research outpacing deadly embryonic stem cell research

Nature Reports recently featured a story on the rapid advancement of research using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Induced pluripotent stem cells are created by inserting genes into ordinary skin cells. These iPS cells have the same properties as embryonic stem cells but don't require human embryos to be killed.

Induced pluripotent stem cells have all the potential of embryonic stem cells without killing human beings. These advances can also address two critical barriers involving human embryonic stem cells. First, if a patient's own skin cells can be used to treat her, her body's immune system will not reject what is already a part of her. Second, it takes many destroyed embryos to produce a large amount of stem cells. To secure enough embryos for experimentation, researchers have proposed cloning humans. New developments in non-embryonic stem cell research are now providing the best opportunity for hope and treatments.

The Nature Reports Stem Cells' story notes how numerous leading stem cell scientists are very enthusiastic about how quickly work on iPS cells is moving forward. One scientist, James Thomson, even notes how "the 10-year head start human ES (embryonic stem) cells got on human iPS cells has effectively shrunk to zero."

The article also notes the large number of requests from scientists and labs who want to work with iPS cells. Some scientists formerly focused on embryonic stem cell research are now turning their energy into working with iPS cells.

To learn more about stem cell research, visit www.stemcellresearchcures.com.

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