New Stem Cell Source?
This looks promising
Researchers in Germany have identified a potential source of reprogrammable cells in adults that could be used for regenerative therapy. The cells would be taken directly from the testis and cultured. No cloning or destruction of embryos would be necessary.
The discovery opens up the possibility, at least for men, of having an endless source of fresh stem cells tailored to one's genetic makeup, which could be turned into any kind of body tissue and used for treatment. This has been the promise of stem cells taken from cloned embryos, but the use of cloned embryos has run into considerable ethical and technical problems...
The big question is whether human males have the same cells. And, as the article explains, even if this stem-cell-source pans out in humans, it's only good for half of the species. So far, no corresponding source of cells has been found in women.
