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Human embryonic stem cells have been studied
only recently, so their capabilities are, as of yet, unknown. In theory, the
embryonic stem cells are able to form every cell type (which is what they do
in the embryo). However, the conditions in culture might not be able to
recreate the conditions that give rise to many tissues in the intact embryo.
In addition to these unknowns, it is uncertain that the cultured stem cells
will function the same as cells that have been developed within the embryo.
For example, in a recent study, insulin-producing cells derived from murine
embryonic stem cells failed to produce the insulin when transplanted into
mice, but only formed tumors.1 In addition, it is uncertain that these lines
will continue to proliferate indefinitely without undergoing genetic
mutations that render them useless. According to the President's Council on
Bioethics: "It is not yet known whether any preparation of human ES cells (generally believed to be much longer-lived than adult stem cells) will continue to grow 'indefinitely,' without undergoing genetic changes." ² References S. Sipione et al. 2004. Insulin expressing cells from differentiated embryonic stem cells are not beta cells. Diabetologia 47: 499-508. ² "Recent Developments in Stem Cell Research." Monitoring Stem Cell Research. The President's Council on Bioethics, January 2004. |