Stem cells are seen as the future of medicine, but the current administration’s opposition to creating them from human embryos has caused scientists to get creative. Now Ian Wilmut, who cloned Dolly the sheep over ten years ago, says that animal embryos can perform the same function.
Wilmut thinks the solution is to inject human DNA into animal egg cells. A nucleus from a diseased person’s cell would be placed into an animal egg from which the nucleus has been removed.
In LiveScience.com, Dave Mosher writes: "Although the ethical issue is not completely resolved, as human tissue would be growing in an animal egg, Wilmut is confident about the proposed procedure?s advantages." He quotes Wilmut as saying, "Although barriers to producing embryos and embryonic stem cells (with this process) could be large, so too are the lessons that could be learned."
Art credit: freeimages.co.uk
The future is already here for our subscribers, who are enjoying our new, IMPROVED subscriber section. Join us?we have a GREAT time chattingwith some very special people, as well as special interviews and videos JUST FOR YOU! Subscribe today.
NOTE: This news story, previously published on our old site, will have any links removed.
Subscribers, to watch the subscriber version of the video, first log in then click on Dreamland Subscriber-Only Video Podcast link.