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Aug 24, 2006 6:26 pm US/Eastern
Worcester Lab Behind New Stem Cell Treatment
by Ron Sanders
WORCESTER (CBS4) ―
What would happen to the debate over stem cell research if scientists could take cells from human embryos without hurting them? A Worcester-based company says thanks to its researchers, we're about to find out.
The technique developed in a Worcester lab and reported in the journal, "Nature," is used in in vitro fertilization clinics for P.G.D., preimplantation genetic diagnosis, of embryos before they're implanted in birth mothers.
Dr. Robert Lanza is the article's senior author and Advanced Cell Technolgy's Vice President of research and scientific development.
"We're actually using a single embryo bgiopsy technique that will not destroy the embryo in any way. Basically what we do, we pluck one cell from an 8-cell embryo and we are able to use that cell for the PGD procedure but also we've shown that you can actually generate entire, stable, embryonic stem cell lines," said Lanza.
Many scientists believe such cells can be transplanted into humans to prevent blindness, treat Parkinson's and a range of other diseases.
But President Bush, citing disputed bioethical reasons, last month vetoed and killed legislation that would have freed-up federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
"So it's very painful to see this field held up when we know so many people right now. There's a very urgent health crisis out there and we're not doing anything about it," said Lanza.
The technique developed here is not likely to silence critics.
But the hope here is that it will gain political momentum and jump start the field of embryonic stem cell reasearch.
Advanced cell technology is now trying to raise millions of dollars for research.
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