Homely Scientist

 There are very few medical advances that hold both tremendous promise and equal controversy as embryonic stem cells.  Stem cells have the ability to “become” (grow into) any cell in the body.  Embryonic stem stems are the most powerful stem cells, for obvious reasons–they need to make a complete person.  One problem, the only source of embryonic stem cells are human embryos and obtaining them, means destruction of the embryo.  I will not get into this controversy here.  I read today that scientists have been able to take stems cells from mice skin and make them behave like embryonic ones:

(AP) Three teams of scientists say they have produced the equivalent of embryonic stem cells, at least in mice, without taking the controversial step of destroying embryos.
Their procedure makes ordinary skin cells behave like stem cells. If the same can be done with human cells — a big if — the procedure could lead to breakthrough medical treatments without the contentious ethical and political debates surrounding the use of embryos. Source: Stem Cell Breakthrough?, Scientists Say They Have Produced The Equivalent Of Embryonic Stem Cells In Mice – CBS News

The potential here is tremendous.  We have unlimited skin stem cells and getting a few is no problem at all.  If this pans out in people, then the promise of helping cure a myriad of diseases (diabetes, Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and more) could be realized.  Let’s hope so. 

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