SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- Embryonic stem cell research is taking another leap forward as the government has approved 13 lines of master cells for federally-funded study.
State funded stem cell research has existed in California for several years, and Geoff Lomax with the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine said funding from the National Institute of Health can build on work being done here in the Golden State.
"We're seeing a lot of early breakthroughs, but those breakthroughs really need to be carried forward to clinical medicine before it makes a real difference to patients with these diseases," Lomax said.
KCBS’ Melissa Culross Reports
President Obama lifted restrictions on federal funding for research on hundreds of lines of embryonic stem cells last spring, and now the NIH has approved 13 of those lines for study.
Lomax said stem cells offer scientists important research opportunities.
"They're able to study issues like where the particular disease is, what is the sequence of events cells go through that lead up to disease," Lomax said.
And he said that loosening federal restrictions will further enhance that research.
Opponents argue that the use of embryonic stem cells is unethical and that adult stem cells could be used.
(kmi)
E-Mail Story
Print Story
DW.pageParams = {
siteId: '255'
};
DW.clear();
DW.trackClicks();
