The creepy solution to the stem-cell debate. - By William Saletan - Slate Magazine

The creepy solution to the stem-cell debate. - By William Saletan - Slate Magazine: "The second proposal, presented by council member William Hurlbut"

How could we create functioning parts of an embryo without the whole? By turning off one of the genes that guide embryo formation. Hurlbut's first choice is the human equivalent of cdx2, the gene in mice that directs the formation of the placenta. Without cdx2, the embryonic mouse cells divide but fail to take the shape of a mouse. The plan would be to follow the recipe for cloning—put the nucleus of a body cell into a gutted egg cell—but turn off cdx2. Then, once the cell begins to divide, reactivate the gene, too late to organize the embryo but early enough to make stem cells.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells found in the Lung

Bioinfo Online - Latest News

: "mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), a type of progenitor cell that most commonly originates in the bone marrow. In this study, lead author Vibha N. Lama, M.D., M.S., and her research team found that the MSCs in lung transplant patients are not derived from bone marrow, but rather that they reside � sometimes for many years � in the lungs. The researchers also found that these cells have the capacity to differentiate into"



Mesenchymal Stem Cells found in the lungs are different from those found in blood.

Stem Cell Progress Blocked in Michigan

The South End Newspaper:

Federal, state laws inhibit embryonic stem cell research: "Stephen Rapundalo, executive director of MichBio, a life sciences trade association geared towards driving industry growth, believes narrow stem cell legislation could be hampering commerce in Michigan."

This Wayne State University newspaper article lists all the roadblocks Michigan is placing in the way of modern biology. I find it very unlikely that this state will be a leader in that field.