WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2008
Stem Cells From Testicles Show Promise
Researchers Say Cells From Testes Are Just As Useful As Those From Embryos
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(AP)
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Timeline Stem Cell Debate The scientific advance sets off an ethical debate that rages on.
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Interactive Stem Cell Research Follow the debate, and learn how and why the cells are harvested.
The new type of stem cells could be useful for growing personalized replacement tissues, according to a study in Thursday's issue of the journal Nature. But because of their source, their highest promise would apply to only half the world's population: men.
Embryonic stem cells can give rise to virtually any tissue in the body and scientists believe they may offer treatments for diseases like Parkinson's and diabetes and for spinal cord injuries.
The testicular cells avoid the ethical dilemma of embryonic stem cells, which are harvested in a process that destroys the embryos. For that reason, some people, including President George W. Bush, oppose their use for ethical or religious reasons.
"The advantage these cells have in comparison to embryonic stem cells is that there is no ethical problem with these cells and that they are natural," said study lead author Thomas Skutella, a professor at the Center for Regenerative Biology and Medicine in Tuebingen, Germany.
Using testicular cells isn't the only promising method that avoids embryos; there have been impressive experiments in reprogramming ordinary body cells into stem cells by slipping certain genes into them.
The new findings and the reprogrammed cells - which still have technical hurdles - "take some pressure off the stem cell issue," said White House science adviser Jack Marburger.
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Earlier studies showed promise using so-called spermatogonial cells from the testes of mice. The new study used cells taken from biopsied tissue from 22 different men undergoing various medical treatments. The men ranged in age from 17 to 81. Researchers found that after a few weeks of growth, the cells could differentiate into various types of cells just like those taken from embryos.The advantage these cells have in comparison to embryonic stem cells is that there is no ethical problem with these cells and that they are natural
Thomas Skutella, a professor at the Center for Regenerative Biology and Medicine in Tuebingen, GermanyOther scientists hailed the idea as promising, but not a reason to give up on research on embryonic stem cells.
"It's exciting. We could do it for males; that leaves women without as easy a method," said stem cell scientist George Daley of Children's Hospital in Boston and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute. He was not part of the new research.
Embryonic stem cells "have their own place in biology," Daley said.
Skutella said a female equivalent could be in women's egg cells, but Daley said that's unlikely because of the makeup of those cells.
Using the new findings to treat patients could take years. But Daley said the work on the cells from testes can benefit from a decade's worth of research into embryonic cells and advance at a fast pace.
He said the new research showed how similar these testicular cells are to embryonic stem cells; now science needs to see what specific differences exist because those could be important.
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Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
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See all 45 CommentsCould be true...lol
Posted by Nancy_Naive at 11:20 AM : Oct 09, 2008
All real science ultimately involves measurement, of one sort or another. That''s why creationism (admittedly another male creation) isn''t science.
And I''ve never vote for Bush. Just got my U.S. citizenship last year so this is my first election. Gotta tell you the choices don''t imbue me with much confidence in our future. An angry old guy with a creationist sidekick or an empty suit with a tape recorder in it yammering on about "hope, change, dream to hope for change, yes we can". The prognosis for this country is grim I fear.
NOT FROM MINE THEY WONT!
"Shhhhh, we`re down here."
Posted by Nancy_Naive at 08:33 AM : Oct 09, 2008
Nice one Nancy. Now consider who discovered calculus, the Pythagorean theorem, the transistor, the theories of gravity, evolution and relativity, the lightbulb, the Internet (Al Gore), that the Earth revolves around the Sun, the Big Bang, etc, etc, etc. If not for the discoveries made by (brainless?) men, right now you''d be poking around the ground with a sharp stick looking for grubs to eat.
All I need is a good looking nurse to gently do her job.
Thank you.
Sweet! Now I can sell my *** for research. Just think of the money that''s been slipping through my fingers all these years.
Posted by StopSocialis
Researcher will ask for the donation of testicles from all conservatives like you who support George W Bush.
After all, you have not been using them for 8 years :)
They really ARE the Family Jewels!
Too bad for the ladies, you just don''t have da toolz.
Posted by usclimey at 07:06 PM : Oct 08, 2008
Rick? As in the old bible thumper SinginRick??
Every sperm is great.
If a sperm is wasted,
God gets quite irate.
Let the heathen spill theirs
On the dusty ground.
God shall make them pay for
Each sperm that can''t be found.
Every sperm is wanted.
Every sperm is good.
Every sperm is needed
In your neighbourhood.
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See all 45 Comments