You’ve undoubtedly read about the breakthrough in the news, seen about it on TV, and already know the story: Researchers have released groundbreaking work in which they produced what appear to be human stem cells from human skin cells.
(I posted a blog entry about a related issue just a few days ago.)
From all accounts, this is revolutionary. It may finally lead to amazing breakthroughs in treating such until-now-incurable diseases as Parkinson’s, for example. And it would eliminate the controversies surrounding the earlier stem cell research using tissue from human embryos.
By all accounts, the techniques used and needed methods of bringing about usable therapies from this discovery are in the very early stages. So it probably isn’t cause for rejoicing by those immediately affected by the various incurable diseases it may eventually cure.
But it’s hope. It gives light for the future to those suffering and to the families of those suffering from many dreaded diseases.
Hooray for science, I say!
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