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Do They Want Stem Cell Success? Stem cell research still needs embryos Published: March 2 2009 19:29 | Last updated: March 2 2009 19:29 After a lull last year, the good news on stem cells is flowing fast again. Sunday's announcement by scientists in Edinburgh and Toronto that they could safely turn a fragment of skin into all-purpose stem cells follows encouraging developments on the political and regulatory fronts, notably the US Food and Drug Administration's authorisation of the first clinical trial of embryonic stem cells (to treat spinal injury). The scientific excitement is focused on "induced pluripotent stem cells" or iPS cells. (What a shame scientists can't come up with catchier names.) The process would have seemed like biochemical magic just a few years ago: take adult cells, add genes and, hey presto, you have reprogrammed the cells back to an embryonic state, without involving an actual embryo. In principle these iPS cells can then be directed to become any human tissues you want, to repair failing organs from the heart to the brain. While opponents of embryo research are understandably celebrating the emergence of iPS cells, politicians must reject their arguments that the latest developments are a reason to abandon embryonic stem cells. The discovery of iPS cells was based firmly on work with human embryos, and every scientist in the field insists that its future depends on continuing to work on embryonic stem cells. Now is the time for President Barack Obama to demonstrate his oft-stated support for embryonic stem cell research by lifting his predecessor's ban on federal funding. Looking a few years into the future, however, it may indeed be possible to reap the rewards of regenerative medicine without using embryos as a source of stem cells. But no one should imagine that all ethical issues would then disappear. On the contrary, if iPS cells live up to their potential, it might then be possible to convert them into embryos - and the technology would become a relatively easy route to an activity that horrifies many people: human cloning. Meanwhile, scientists and their supporters should be on guard against a frenzy of hype of the sort that occasionally overtakes biomedical research. Yes, stem cells may treat a wide range of diseases currently considered incurable but it will be many years before we see the most talked about applications, such as replacing lost brain cells in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients. Experience with the previous biomedical breakthroughs suggests that initial hopes are always exaggerated. We do not want stem cells to lose public and political support because scientists have promised too much too soon. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009 Rayilyn Brown Director AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn