Lansing, Mich., Mar 3, 2009 / 04:14 am
The Michigan Catholic Conference on Monday welcomed reports that stem cell researchers have discovered another method to advance science without intentionally destroying human embryos. Praising research that avoids “ethical and moral landmines,” the Conference called on state legislators to support legislation promoting it.
On Monday, the science journal Nature reported that specialized human cells have been transformed into a state similar to that of embryonic stem cells without using viruses.
Embryonic stem cells are totipotent, capable of generating all of the body’s specialized cells. Researchers have speculated that embryonic stem cell research could develop significant medical advances, but the research relies on the destruction of human embryos and human cloning.
Alternative methods for generating stem cells are being developed.