Improved mature cells mature

An embryo is a few days old

Creating embryonic-like stem cells from adult cells will allow avoiding moral problems. A Japanese researcher at Kyoto University claimed to have found a relatively simple solution to convert rat skin cells into stem cells of the same quality as embryonic cells.

Dr. Shinya Yamanaka and colleagues isolated four key genes that specialize in 'stem' properties for embryonic cells. To accomplish this, they used 24 components and performed a method of elimination by injecting multiple genetic mixtures into adult mouse cells. Finally, four injected genes have turned adult cells into cells that can differentiate into many different tissues.

Dr. Yamanaka's research will be applied in human cells to test whether similar factors work. Other studies will aim at creating stem cells without creating or destroying embryos.

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