Boston, Mass., Sep 27, 2008 / 22:07 pm
Researchers have refined an experimental process that could produce stem cells without needing to create and destroy human embryos. The process turns adult cells into what are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) believed to have high potential for therapeutic treatments for many severe medical conditions. New research has reportedly eliminated iPS cells’ tendencies to become cancerous.
"We have removed a major roadblock for translating this into a clinical setting," Harvard University stem cell researcher Konrad Hochedlinger told the Washington Post.
"I think it's an important advance," he continued.
Hochedlinger and his fellow researchers published their research online yesterday in the journal Science.