In a technical development that may aid stem cell researchers
around the world, a group of South Korean scientists announced that
they have sped up the creation of human embryonic stem cells.
The scientists were able to grow 11 new batches of human
embryonic stem cells that were a genetic match to their donors, a
step forward that makes the technique on which it was based more
safe and effective.
“It’s a huge technological hurdle to do this
efficiently. … It makes it more efficient to use stem cells as a
model for disease,” said Dr. Harley Kornblum, chair of the
stem cell planning committee at UCLA.
The nature of the technique, which is being published in the
journal Science today, also means there won’t be any concerns
regarding the body’s natural immunological response.
“The argument that it will not work in humans will not be
tenable after this,” said stem cell researcher Dr. Rudolph
Jaenisch of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research in
Cambridge, Mass.
In terms of how the new process will affect researchers at UCLA,
Kornblum said “undoubtedly it will,” and that
“this brings the reality of treatment closer, though there is
still a long way to go.”
While the Seoul researchers have passed a large barrier, there
is still much to be studied. “Therapeutic cloning has
tremendous, tremendous healing potential, but we have to open so
many doors before human trials,” said Hwang Woo-suk of Seoul
National University, the lead South Korean researcher.
With reports from Bruin wire services and Natalie Banach,
Bruin senior staff.