Stem cell research - skin cells turn into embryonic cells

Nov 22:  The news of a study that claims to have turned human skin cells into embryonic cells without destroying an embryo has thrown a wave of pleasure among scientist community which is an accomplishment that can quash the on going ethical debate related to research in this field.

This research has been published in recent edition of Cell a science journal by Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University and in Science, by James A. Thomson and his colleagues at the University of Wisconsin.

The process include addition of four genes which reprogrammed the chromosomes of the skin cells making it potent to turn into any kind of the 220 cell types of the human body. That means the ‘Reprogramming’ method creates cells that are identical to embryonic stem cells.

These genes act as master regulator genes which control other genes. The programmed cells behave like embryonic stem cells but are called induced pluripotent stem cells. Pluripotency of a cell impart a cell the ability to be able to change in different type of cells.

The researchers are confident of gaining perfection in this method which with slight different structure and properties than the embryonic cells also has risk like introducing a cancer gene.

Earlier the process included plucking of cells from human embryo which used to get destroyed in the process.

Since the process led to the killing of the embryo it fueled debate in many countries pioneering the research including America.

Many researchers from the same field are of the opinion that this study will restructured the stem cell field infested by moral doubts.

The stem cell research which has always been a matter of debate has pleased George Bush who is known to encourage scientific advancement within ethical boundaries.

This alternative method will prove beneficial without using women’s egg and the genetically matching cells will not be rejected by the immune system of our body.

This will also mark a new beginning to make a breakthrough in the complex disease like Alzheimer, Parkinson, diabetes, spinal injuries in the laboratory.

But the two scientists have given a word of caution which includes confirmation of the study as well as the decision to throw away the research with stem cells from human embryo will be an untimely step.

Many hopes are now attached with this research which is still in its nascent phase with all the uncertainties including the surety that the skin turned into stem cells will be able to match the expectation of embryonic stem cells or not.

But if the research proved to be successful it will evade many danger including the ethical debate and rejection by immune system.