Stem Cells Tainted by "Mouse Material" 


All of the 22 federally-approved stem cell lines are contaminated by a mouse protein that causes an immune reaction in humans according to an article in New Scientist. This makes it impossible to use any of these cells in human trials. Unfortunately, federal law prohibits using any new stem cell lines except for the existing 22, as laid down in Bush's new policy in 2001.
So privately-funded US scientists are actively searching for non-biological alternatives to the mouse cell scaffolding. Contenders include a jelly-like matrix - another method that Snyder is working on and has not yet published - and human muscle or blood cells.

But because Bush-approved research is limited to the older lines, federally-funded scientists cannot take advantage of newer stem cells grown on alternative scaffoldings.

This “significantly” limits the value of the federally-funded research, says Snyder. “It renders [the government-approved cells] incredibly suspect. All work should be done with fresh lines,” he says.
I love it - Bush approved research. As if that guy understands what this is all about. And now the US can fall further behind the rest of the world in this area, all because of some religious chump. 

 

Posted: Mon - November 1, 2004 at 08:51 AM          

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