Reporter Rob Stein writes in the Washington Post:
Scientists have transformed one type of fully developed adult cell
directly into another inside a living animal, a startling advance that
could lead to cures for a variety of illnesses and sidestep the
political and ethical quagmires associated with embryonic stem cell
research. [more . . .]
The Family Research Council summarizes:
Adult stem cells and other ethical stem cell research continue to rack
up success after success, while embryonic stem cells continue to fail.
Stanford researchers have verified that embryonic stem cells
transplanted into mice are resoundingly rejected by the immune system
and destroyed. In
contrast, adult stem cells from menstrual blood showed the potential to
treat peripheral artery disease and prevent limb amputation. An
international
research group led by Dr. Michael Murphy, Indiana University School of
Medicine, restored blood circulation and limb function in mice treated
with
these cells, which could potentially be used as an off-the-shelf
treatment for damaged or diseased limbs. Japanese researchers report
that they can
produce flexible stem cells from wisdom teeth, even after the teeth
have been in a freezer for three years. Today, Harvard researchers
report that
they can produce insulin-secreting cells directly from other pancreatic
cells in mice, improving diabetes symptoms. And in case you missed it,
Maarten van der Weijden won the open-water race Olympic gold medal. His
life was saved years ago by an adult stem cell transplant for leukemia,
one
of thousands of lives saved by adult stem cells.
Update - Adult Stem Cell Success Stories 2008 Update: January - June