Another promising method of producing embryonic stem cells without destroying embryos is being studied at Michigan State University. In the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Professor Jos? Cibelli says that his team has identified 66 genes which may be responsible for reprogramming an adult cell in the cloning process.

When an adult cell is fused with an egg, the egg somehow manages to shut down the genes which specify it as a certain kind of tissue. Then it activates the genes which turn the cell into an embryo. What Cibelli is searching for is a way of creating stem cells by reintroducing these genes into cells of normal tissue. This would make it unnecessary to obtain eggs for the cloning process or to destroy embryos. Cibelli used to work with the controversial company Advanced Cell Technology, but left the company several years ago to work in Michigan.

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Michael Cook

Michael Cook edits BioEdge, a bioethics newsletter, and MercatorNet, an on-line magazine whose focus is human dignity. He writes from Sydney, Australia.

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