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The Washington Post Sunday, April 22, 2001; Page B06 The April 10 front-page story "Human Fat May Provide Useful Cells" said that research on fat tissue could mean that stem cells derived from in vitro fertilized eggs that would otherwise be discarded may no longer be necessary. As a stem cell researcher at Harvard University, I find such a claim extremely premature. The work on fat cells is part of a line of research showing that mature cells have the potential to change into different types of cells, but fat cells have not yet been shown to be able to differentiate into cells of any kind. Nor has it been shown that the cells studied are truly stem cells, that is, cells that can divide indefinitely in laboratory culture like embryonic stem cells. If the Bush administration permits federal funding for research on stem cells that come from fertilized eggs destined to be thrown away, such research could be pursued along with fat cell and other adult-cell research to maximize the opportunity of discovering new therapies for individuals suffering from heart disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and spinal cord injury. DOUG MELTON Lexington, Mass. The writer is chairman of Harvard University's Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. © 2001 The Washington Post Company http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44794-2001Apr21.html ******* ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn