Skin Cells Become Stem Cells

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Recent developments by UCLA stem cell scientists have succeeded in transforming human skin cells into cells that may share the same properties and capabilities as embryonic stem cells. This is a great advancement in the research of stem cells, because it helps to reduce the need for embryonic stem cells for studies and development. The use of such embryonic stem cells has long been controversial, not only in the United States but around the world. Any development that helps to avoid the use of embryonic stem cells for treatments and possible cures will avoid ongoing criticism against moral and religious standards in society.
The new stem cells that have been created using human skin cells are identical to embryonic stem cells. Testing using these newly created cells could begin as soon as this coming summer. While the concept is not entirely new, the study does confirm what researchers in Japan and the United States had been working on since last year. Such transformation or reprogramming of these stem cells may lead to further advancements in tissue engineering and transplant medicine.

A patient's own skin cells could become a wide variety of other types of stem cells that may be used to help treat multiple conditions and diseases including Parkinson's disease and diabetes, and other diseases, including leukemia. Says Kathrin Plath, a scientist at UCLA, "We are very excited about the potential implications." Those who have been against embryonic research generally accept non-embryonic stem cell research.

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