Stem Cell :: Stem cells without destroying an embryo

Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (OTCBB:ACTC ? News) has successfully produced a human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line without destroying an embryo at its lab in Worcester, Massachusetts.

This development was announced by Robert Lanza, M.D., V.P. of Research and Scientific Development of Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) on Tuesday at the fifth annual meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) in Cairns, Australia.

In August 2006, ACT published a paper in Nature Magazine documenting a technique for removing a single cell (known as a blastomere) from an eight-cell human embryo, and using that cell to generate multiple hESCs without destroying the embryo.

At the ISSCR meeting, Dr. Lanza definitively announced that he and his team have now reproduced the work of removing a single cell blastomere from a human embryo with the surviving embryo cryo-preserved. Dr. Lanza noted at the meeting, ?These are the first human embryonic stem cells in existence to be made without destroying an embryo.?

This development comes on the heels of President Bush?s veto of federal legislation which would have provided funding for embryonic stem cell research.

In an appearance yesterday on Bloomberg Television?s ?On the Economy,? juxtaposed with the President?s press conference relating to his stem cell funding veto, William M. Caldwell, IV, Chairman and CEO of ACT, commented on ACT?s single cell blastomere development: ?It does address the President?s concern. We?re very excited about this technology, and we?re using it today to develop treatments for [addressing] macular degeneration.?

Today Mr. Caldwell said, ?The American people spoke through their representatives in Congress when federal funding legislation was passed by both houses and presented to the President. We are, of course, very disappointed with his veto yesterday. Our single cell blastomere technology directly addresses the President?s ethical concerns and is available today, unlike the science projects announced by the President yesterday. Despite the veto, and particularly in light of this new advance, we call on the National Institutes of Health to reflect the will of the American people and approve funding for research applications of our single cell blastomere technology.?


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