Stem cells may create tumors and disorganized tissue in patients

American and Japanese researchers demonstrated that a little genetic manipulation goes a long way. They both showed that introducing four genes will reprogram a skin cell into an embryonic-like stem cell. The transformed cell has the ability to become any cell type in the human body, just like an embryonic stem cell.

Photo: Stem cells may create tumors and disorganized tissue in patients

The use of skin cells will eventually allow doctors to create stem cells with a specific patient's genetic code, eliminating the risk that the body would reject transplanted tissues or organs.

It also will lead to a virtual explosion in the availability of research materials used to test new drugs and understand how diseases like cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer's function.

Pravda.Ru has interviewed Karim Nayernia, Professor of Stem cell Biology, Institute of Human Genetics University of Newcastle, to find out more about this breakthrough in science.

Pravda.Ru: Could it mean that the problem of donor organs is solved?

Karim Nayernia: Not yet. It has been to show that these cells can differentiate to different cell types, but it is a very good beginning.

Pravda.Ru: How will it effect treatment for serious diseases such as diabetes or Parkinson's?

Karim Nayernia: It will affect the treatment of disease like diabetes and Parkinson's dramatically, because using this system an individual-based cell therapy would be possible in future, this means that the own cells of patients can be used for therapy.

Pravda.Ru : Is there a possibility that such stem cells will create tumors or disorganized tissue in patients?

Karim Nayernia: It would be possible, but this problem exists with every pluripotent cells.

Vatican prelate on Wednesday said the creation of stem cells from skin should not pose the "ethical problems" associated with the use of embryos.

"The new research taking shape should not pose ethical problems," Monsignor Elio Sgreccia, head of the Pontifical Academy for Life, told the religious news agency I-Media. "As of now we consider this process legitimate, pending further verification."

The Catholic Church "is not concerned about technical processes. It reacts only if a process threatens human dignity," Sgreccia said.

It is this principle that has prompted the Church to reject human cloning and "fight the destruction of embryonic stem cells," he said, adding: "You cannot save the life of one person by killing another. It's ethical Machiavellianism."

Sgreccia said Japanese researcher Shinya Yamanaka, whose team created a line of stem cells using 5,000 skin cells, "took part last year in the work of the Academy for Life here at the Vatican."

Pope John Paul II set up the academy in 1994 to support medical and legal research "relative to the promotion and defence of life, above all in the direct relation that they have with Christian morality" and Church directives, the AFP reports.

Sources: agencies

Prepared by Alexander Timoshik
Pravda.Ru