Sunday, February 03, 2008

Finnish patient gets new jaw from own stem cells | Science | Reuters

Finnish patient gets new jaw from own stem cells | Science | Reuters:
"HELSINKI (Reuters) - Scientists in Finland said they had replaced a 65-year-old patient's upper jaw with a bone transplant cultivated from stem cells isolated from his own fatty tissue and grown inside his abdomen.

Researchers said on Friday the breakthrough opened up new ways to treat severe tissue damage and made the prospect of custom-made living spares parts for humans a step closer to reality. ..."
Another interesting story that suggests that conventional wisdom regarding embryonic stem cells is falling victim to scientific progress.

Proofs of concept are one thing, but actual results are even better. If science and technology can keep moving in this direction, in the not-too-distant future students may read about the ethical and moral debates surrounding the harvesting of embryos for stem cells and wonder what it was all about.

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