Interesting developments in biology.

[TheHeretic]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16788809

So some bonds have managed to utilize skin cells to convert, (no idea the terminology that would be correct here), into brain cells. So I wonder what the medical benefits would be? Could it be used in degenerative brain diseases, etc? Of course it also brings to the fore the question, again, of stem cells and the harvesting of.

Personally, I am all forgot. The benefits seem to far outweigh any shortsighted ethical opinions.

[Simpo Two]

Overlooking your spellchocker, I agree.

[TheHeretic]

I've given up proofreading. It interferes with the amount of time I can devote to chocolate hobnobs.

[R300will]

The benefits do outweigh the 'ethical' costs.

[Flat_Steve]

What ethical costs?

[TheHeretic]

Flat_Steve said:

What ethical costs?

The argument about harvesting stem cells.

[Jasandjules]

Yes, this could herald a new era for conditions such as Alzheimers (sp?).

There is also some rather cool stuff which can convert pockets of liquid/certain cells into bone - my dog had it injected into his mouth under his tooth (large cavity under there) and six months later the bone is reforming, the DNA of those cells being adjusted. This is not yet suitable for humans BUT think of the applications this could have?!!?

Medical science is exciting stuff.

[Flat_Steve]

TheHeretic said:

The argument about harvesting stem cells.

If they were embryonic stem cells then yes, there'd be ethical concerns, however the OP's article refers to changing skin cells into stem cells, hence no ethics involved.

[jr502]

Flat_Steve said:

no ethics involved.

If only, you can't move without ethics rearing it's ugly head.

[Simpo Two]

The flat-earth god-types will be out, that's for sure. And the anti-GM brigade whose education stopped with finger painting.

[TheHeretic]

Flat_Steve said:

If they were embryonic stem cells then yes, there'd be ethical concerns, however the OP's article refers to changing skin cells into stem cells, hence no ethics involved.

Article said:

One of the big questions for the field is where to get the cells from. There are ethical concerns around embryonic stem cells and patients would need to take immunosuppressant drugs as any stem cell tissue would not match their own.

[R300will]

TheHeretic said:

Flat_Steve said:

If they were embryonic stem cells then yes, there'd be ethical concerns, however the OP's article refers to changing skin cells into stem cells, hence no ethics involved.

Article said:

One of the big questions for the field is where to get the cells from. There are ethical concerns around embryonic stem cells and patients would need to take immunosuppressant drugs as any stem cell tissue would not match their own.

How are they proposing to change skin cells into stem cells?

[annodomini2]

R300will said:

How are they proposing to change skin cells into stem cells?

Read the article!

[R300will]

annodomini2 said:

R300will said:

How are they proposing to change skin cells into stem cells?

Read the article!

Sorry lazy student here. The fact that they only have 10% success means more work needs doing before they can be reliable. Plus it sounds like they have given up on turning them straight into stem cells because it is too difficult and just going for changing the cells function.