embryonic stem cells

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Researchers Create First Synthetic Human Embryo

Experts call for laws governing development of embryo models, which could offer insight into miscarriage

(Newser) - An egg plus sperm equals a human embryo—at least that's traditionally how it's been done. In a breakthrough, scientists say they've created human embryos without the need for either egg or sperm. These "synthetic embryos" or "embryo models" are made from reprogrammed embryonic stem...

Huge Breakthrough in Quest for Type 1 Diabetes Cure

Scientists have coaxed stem cells into ones that produce insulin in mice

(Newser) - There's no known cure for Type 1 diabetes, so for 3 million Americans, an insulin pump or regular insulin injections form an imperfect and temporary solution. And it's one that doesn't always keep some of the disease's worst outcomes, including blindness and limb amputation, at bay....

Archdiocese: 'Ice Buckets' Present a Moral Problem

Catholics shouldn't fund embryonic stem-cell research, Archdiocese says

(Newser) - The Cincinnati Archdiocese is all for people embracing the "Ice Bucket Challenge"—just so it doesn't conflict with Catholic beliefs. The Archdiocese says it's OK for Catholics to get doused in ice-cold water to raise money for ALS research, but the funds shouldn't go to...

Team Clones Stem Cells From 75-Year-Old's Skin

Technique could be used to produce tissue perfectly suited to patients

(Newser) - A team of researchers has made a sure-to-be controversial breakthrough in both stem cell and cloning research, creating stem cells from two adults using cloning techniques. The researchers took DNA from skin cells from two men, aged 35 and 75, and injected it into unfertilized eggs whose DNA had been...

Human Stem Cells Made From Cloned Embryos

 Human Stem Cells Made 
 From Cloned Embryos 
medical milestone

Human Stem Cells Made From Cloned Embryos

Oregon scientists report breakthrough

(Newser) - Scientists have made a long-sought—and controversial—breakthrough: They created stem cells from cloned human embryos for the first time, reports AP . In theory, the development by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University means that doctors might someday be able to grow tissue from an ailing patient's own...

Supreme Court Rejects Stem Cell Case

Scientists challenged use of embryonic stem cells; court gives no comment

(Newser) - Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research is safe for now. The Supreme Court won't hear a challenge to the funding, it said today, giving no comment on the matter. "This is good news for patients," said a statement from the Association of American Medical Colleges. "...

Embryonic Stem Cells Help Deaf Gerbils Hear

But any help for humans is still far off

(Newser) - British researchers are reporting what might be a potential breakthrough in the treatment of deafness. They injected embryonic stem cells from humans into the inner ears of deaf gerbils, and the stem cells restored 45% of the gerbils' hearing range, on average, in 10 weeks, reports the BBC . Two caveats:...

Oklahoma Bill Would Ban Fetuses in Food
Oklahoma Bill Would Ban Fetuses in Food
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Oklahoma Bill Would Ban Fetuses in Food

Sen. Ralph Shortey read about this, um, threat online

(Newser) - Oklahoma Sen. Ralph Shortey is on a mission. He's introduced a bill banning any food products "which contains aborted human fetuses in the ingredients." Is this a going problem in Oklahoma, you ask? Well no, but Shortey read about it once on the Internet, he tells the...

Stem Cells May Reverse Blindness in Women

Scientists thrilled by use of embryonic cells

(Newser) - A treatment made from embryonic stem cells is apparently restoring sight in two women who were slowly going blind, NPR reports. "I can't tell you how excited I am about this," says Steven Schwartz, a UCLA opthamologist leading the research. "For these patients, the impact is...

Scientists Turn Stem Cells Into Working Sperm

Researchers see hope for infertile men

(Newser) - Researchers have managed to produce sperm cells from embryonic stem cells—and for the first time, the sperm worked, resulting in healthy baby mice. Researchers in Japan mixed the embryonic stem cells with certain proteins and hormones. They converted the resulting cells into germ cells, which they implanted in the...

Judge Dismisses Suit Against Stem Cell Research

Decision means federal work can continue with embryonic stem cells

(Newser) - A lawsuit that had threatened to end the Obama administration's funding of embryonic stem cell research was thrown out today, allowing the US to continue supporting a search for cures to deadly diseases over protests that the work relies on destroyed human embryos. The lawsuit claimed that research funded...

Court Overturns Stem Cell Ban
 Court Overturns Stem Cell Ban 

Court Overturns Stem Cell Ban

Federal funding can now be used for human embryonic cell research

(Newser) - A federal appeals court overturned the ban on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research today in a 2-1 ruling. The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that such funding did not violate a 1996 law forbidding the use of federal money for research...

Paralyzed Patient Undergoes Stem Cell Experiment

21-year-old got drug 6 months ago, but it's too early to gauge results

(Newser) - A 21-year-old nursing student in Alabama paralyzed from the chest down in a car accident says he's "doing well" after receiving an experimental drug made from embryonic stem cells, but that it's too early to gauge his prospects of being able to walk again. Timothy Atchison tells the Washington ...

US Approves 2nd Human Trial of Stem Cells

Mass. company will try to treat progressive blindness

(Newser) - The FDA has approved the second stem-cell trial on humans: Advanced Cell Technology will test the effects of stem-cell treatments on 12 patients with Stargardt’s macular dystrophy, a disease that causes progressive blindness, Reuters reports. The currently untreatable disease causes degeneration of eye tissue beginning as early as age...

First US Stem Cell Trials Begin
 First US Stem Cell Trials Begin 

First US Stem Cell Trials Begin

Paralyzed patient injected with embryonic cells

(Newser) - American scientists have begun testing embryonic stem cells on a patient for the first time. The groundbreaking, federally-approved clinical trial involves injecting millions of the cells into a patient who suffered paralysis after a recent spinal cord injury, reports Reuters . Scientists hope the stem cells will regenerate nerves in the...

Nervous Scientists to Test Stem Cells on Humans

Less-than-positive results could spell disaster

(Newser) - Scientists are preparing the first human tests of stem cell treatments—and they're nervous about it. They plan to inject cells into patients with spinal cord injuries and progressive blindness, a move that, based on animal trials, should improve the patients' condition. But those involved still fear anything less than...

Judge Blocks Stem Cell Research Funding

Ban on using federal funds for embryonic research reinstated

(Newser) - President Obama's executive order expanding embryonic stem cell research has been blocked by a district judge who says it violates a ban on federal money being used to destroy embryos. US District Judge Royce Lamberth granted an injunction to stop federal funding of the research, a move that deals a...

Scientists Create Brain Cells From Skin Cells

Stanford breakthrough in mice skips stem cell stage

(Newser) - In what's being heralded as "a huge leap forward," Stanford researchers have successfully turned mouse skin cells into fully functioning brain cells. The process, which took less than a week, upends thinking on how cells develop specialized roles, and could help minimize the controversial role of embryonic stem...

Obama OKs 11 New Human Stem Cell Lines

NIH authorizes 11 new lines, promises more to come

(Newser) - The Obama administration approved 11 new lines of human embryonic stem cells for federally funded research today, in the first expansion of stem cell support since Obama officially overturned George W. Bush’s policy against them. “This is a real change in the landscape,” said the director of...

Blindness Cure Could Be 1st Human Stem Cell Trial

Biotech firm aims to reverse macular degeneration

(Newser) - The first-ever clinical trials of stem cell treatment of humans could be under way early next year if a Massachusetts biotech firm wins FDA approval. Advanced Cell Technology yesterday applied for a license to use embryonic stem cells left over from IVF treatment, to aid people suffering from a rare...

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