Scientists Develop Embryonic Stem Cells That Do Not Harm Embryos [View All]

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Advanced Cell Technology Announces Technique to Generate Human Embryonic Stem Cells that Maintains Developmental Potential of Embryo; Approach Published in Nature
8/23/2006 1:01:00 PM EST
BIOWIRE

Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (OTCBB:ACTC) today reported that company scientists have successfully generated human embryonic stem cells (hES cells) using an approach that does not harm embryos. The technique is reported in an article appearing online (ahead of print) in the journal Nature. The article describes a method for deriving stem cells from human blastomeres with a single-cell biopsy technique called Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). This technique is used in in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics to assess the genetic health of preimplantation embryos. The cell lines produced using this technique appear to be identical to hES cell lines derived from later-stage embryos using techniques that destroy the embryo's developmental potential. ACT had previously reported the successful use of a similar technique in mice in Nature in October 2005.

"Until now, embryonic stem cell research has been synonymous with the destruction of human embryos," stated Robert Lanza, M.D., Vice President of Research & Scientific Development at ACT, and the study's senior author. "We have demonstrated, for the first time, that human embryonic stem cells can be generated without interfering with the embryo's potential for life. Overnight culture of a single cell obtained through biopsy allows both PGD and the development of stem-cell lines without affecting the subsequent chances of having a child. To date, over 1,500 healthy children have been born following the use of PGD."

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