¦ June 8, 2007
Big News on Two Fronts
Reprinted from Stem Cell Action Network

1- Researchers in Japan reported that they were able to turn mice skin cells into pluripotent stem cells. Pluripotent means that they have the same characteristics as embryonic cells, the ability to develop into a wide variety of cell types. (Adult stem cells do not have this ability.) Two American teams have now replicated this research, so there is no question of the validity of the claim.
2- The House of Representatives passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Bill 247 to 176.

Read the full article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/07/washington/07cnd-stem.html?hp=&pagewanted;=print

So what does this mean?
Research:
It's really an exceptional breakthrough if you are a mouse. For us homo sapiens, it's a big deal because of its potential value; not at all a sure thing. All the so-called "ethical" issues disappear, because no early embryos are used. No controversy should equal more funding. But first, the researchers have to demonstrate that they can do the same thing with human cells.

At least three obstacles loom:
- "One problem is that the mice have to be interbred, which cannot be done with people. Another is that the cells must be infected with the gene-carrying virus, which is not ideal for cells to be used in therapy. A third issue is that two of the genes in the recipe can cause cancer." (NY Times article)

Read the full article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/07/science/07cell.html?_r=1&oref;=slogin&pagewanted;=print

If all the problems are solved, the potential will be that a skin cell will easily produce a supply of genetically identical cells (no rejection) that can be used for study, as well as for direct replacement of diseased cells in an individual. The fearsome "cloning" word will also disappear, replaced by this procedure. If the gap between mice and humans can be bridged, the researchers will have exactly the cells that they need to work with.

Exciting, yes; a sure thing, not at all.
Congress:
While the numbers reflect strong bi-partisan support, according to my calculations, we are still 35 votes short of a two-thirds majority needed to override the promised veto by President Bush. (In the Senate, we are at least one vote short, as well.) Also, some of the opposition is using the research news to argue that research on cells derived from (unimplanted) embryos is now not necessary. What is being ignored is that for patients, the future possibility of deriving cells from skin cells, cannot compete with the research that can proceed right now with cells from donated early embryos.

So again, it is up to us to work together to prevent this hopeful news from being used to delay and discourage continuing scientific advances.
Idelle Datlof, Executive Director