A Different Type of Stem Cell
Posted by Arwen Mosher in News on Thursday, November 04, 2010 10:51 PM
Along with many pro-lifers, I was saddened to read recently that researchers at the University of Michigan have created our state’s first embryonic stem cell line. But today I read about a different stem cell development that made me happy.
It can be frustrating to read news articles about stem cell research because it seems like most coverage fails to mention the fact that adult stem cell research accounts for all of the field’s scientific breakthroughs.
Apparently, though, there is another kind of stem cell that could be useful: plant stem cells. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have isolated stem cells from a yew tree to produce an anticancer compound currently used in treatment of several types of cancer. If perfected, the stem cell process could create “an abundant supply” of the compound, which would enable the drug to be provided at a much lower cost.
According to the article, “scientists behind the project have also cultured stem cells from other plants with medical applications, indicating that the technique could be used to manufacture other important pharmaceuticals.”
And from an ethical point of view, the great thing about plant stem cells is that there are no complications. Research away, scientists! Plants exist for our use, so use them.
I hope that in the future, we’ll see more about the plant stem cells and less about the embryonic lines. Wouldn’t that be great?
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