Researchers discover way to replicate stem cells for therapy

The ongoing argument over the need to use embryonic stem cells for the development of revolutionary new medical treatments is just about completely mooted by the advance of technology.

University of Louisville researchers have coaxed stem cells from adult mice to change into brain, nerve, heart muscle and pancreatic cells – a discovery that could lead to therapies for a host of human diseases and possibly end the national debate over use of embryonic stem cells.

“We have found a counterpart for embryonic stem cells in adult bone marrow. This could negate the ethical concerns,” said Mariusz Ratajczak, leader of the research team and director of the stem cell biology program at Louisville’s James Graham Brown Cancer Center.

This is a nice piece of science, and promises some positive further developments, without the need for the ethically questionable “harvest” of stem cells from abortion sources.