Scientists Find Way to Regress Adult Cells to Embryonic State
Source: Washington Post
By Rob Stein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, September 25, 2008; 2:00 PM
Scientists are reporting today that they have overcome a major obstacle to using a promising alternative to embryonic stem cells, bolstering the prospects for bypassing the political and ethical tempest that has embroiled hopes for a new generation of medical treatments.
The researchers said they found a safe way to coax adult cells to regress into an embryonic state, alleviating what had been the most worrisome uncertainty about developing the cells into potential cures.
"We have removed a major roadblock for translating this into a clinical setting," said Konrad Hochedlinger, a Harvard University stem cell researcher whose research was published online today by the journal Science. "I think it's an important advance."
The development is the latest in the rapidly advancing and politically charged field of stem cell research.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...l?hpid=topnews