Create germ cells without destroying human embryos

Currently the US government prohibits the use of public funds for germ cell research (Photo: BBC)

Germ cells are undeveloped cells, which can then be raised to turn into different types of tissue.

People take germ cells from human embryos, then discard embryos.

Such a practice caused the US President Bush to reject the bill to grant government money to the study of stem cells.

However, scientists working at a microbiological company in Boston say they have just discovered a technique to acquire germ cells, while maintaining the embryo.

Currently US government law provides no subsidy for research that could lead to destruction of human embryos.

Such regulations have in fact prevented the use of government money in germ cell research projects.

However, a group of scientists in Boston has now grown stem cells from a normal cell taken from the first human embryo.

According to Dr. Robert Landser, the author of this technique, if the embryo is later implanted in a woman's uterus to treat infertility, then it will not be destroyed and people will not break the law. This can avoid the federal government banning the study of stem cells.

"We can now create a variety of germ cells for the scientific community without damaging human embryos. Hopefully this way will convince the president to give up his opposition. with germ cell research "

While other scientists argue that it is relatively difficult for infertile couples to be willing to donate stem cells from their embryos. However, according to Dr. Simon Best, who is a member of the American Ethics Committee - and also represents the microbiological industry, this new innovation will help change awareness and create support for the allocation of public funds for the study of stem cells:

"Making changes to the federal government to provide funding for germplasm research could become a topic of debate for the upcoming presidential election. You will see the Republican Party. and Democrats will put this into their platform. "

Dr. Best believes that if federal law changes, the US Health Research Institute will quickly invest about $ 1 billion in research, and as such he will create market confidence. This technique, through which will push the private sector to put in tens of billions of dollars to perfect the technique.