Adult stem-cell research shows promise

0 Comments | Insight on the News, July 22, 2002 | by Joyce Howard Price

Studies released in June have added to growing evidence that adult stem cells are far more flexible and versatile than originally believed, raising hopes they could reduce the need for embryonic stem-cell research.

According to Catherine Verfaillie, director of the University of Minnesota Stem Cell Institute, bone-marrow stem cells from adult mice can evolve into most, if not all, tissues of mice, after they have been injected into early-stage mouse embryos. "This occurs with one out of every three cells," she says. "Some of the animals are 40 percent derived from the bone-marrow stem cells, suggesting that the cells contribute functionally to a number of organs. This is similar to what one would expect with embryonic stem cells."

The report by Verfaillie and her research colleagues is one of two important papers on developments in stem-cell research published in the journal Nature. The second, a report by Ronald McKay of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, shows that embryonic mouse stem cells can be used to treat Parkinson's disease in rats.

Stem cells are the raw materials out of which more specialized tissues develop in the body. Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any type of tissue, a trait that could make them valuable in treating Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and diabetes. But pro-life groups oppose the use of embryonic stem cells because human embryos must be destroyed to obtain the cells.

Congress is considering bills that would ban the cloning of human embryos for either reproductive or therapeutic purposes. Backers of those bills say the emphasis should be placed on finding therapeutic uses for adult stem cells.