When was stem cell research invented

The lines were eventually shown to be completely false and therefore fabricated, but the huge international scandal left the public doubtful and mistrusting of the scientific community.

More recently, in , scientists at Kingston University in England were purported to have found another category of stem cells. These were named cord blood embryonic-like stem cells, which originate in umbilical cord blood. It is suggested that these stem cells have the ability to differentiate into more cell types than adult stem cells, opening up greater possibilities for cell-based therapies.

Then, in early , researchers led by Dr. Anthony Atala claimed that a new type of stem cell had been isolated in amniotic fluid. This finding is particularly important because these stem cells could prove to be a viable alternative to the controversial use of embryonic stem cells. Over the last few years, national policies and debate amongst the public as well as religious groups, government officials and scientists have led to various laws and procedures regarding stem cell harvesting, development and treatment for research or disease purposes.

Although 21 lines were viable at the time, he discovers that no more than 16 are both viable and ethically derived. January 20, Stem cell pioneer Ernest McCulloch dies Ernest McCulloch, who was part of the team that first proved the existence of stem cells, died at the age of 84 just days before a celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of the discovery. The cause of death is unknown. July 27, Suit against federal stem cell research dismissed A lawsuit claiming that embryonic stem cell research funded by the National Institutes of Health violated the Dickey-Wicker law that prohibits taxpayer financing for work that harms an embryo was thrown out Wednesday, July 27, , allowing for the Obama administration's funding of embryonic stem cell research to continue on embryos that were culled long ago through private funding.

The treatments were also safe, with no sign that the cells triggered aggressive tumours called teratomas, no sign of immune rejection of the cells, and no inflammation. The procedures were performed by Dr. Robert Lanza, a renowned stem cell scientist from Massachusetts. One of the patients, who suffered from Stargardt disease, had replacement cells made from hESCs injected into one of her eyes and noticed improvement in vision.

The NIH-supported research uses cell lines derived by destroying day-old embryos. The researchers say the find holds huge potential for the rapid testing and development of new treatments for neuro-degenerative disorders.

The g patty was made from 20, strips of meat grown from cow stem cells. April British scientists make custom-made body parts using stem cells London's Royal Free hospital, and others around the world, create custom made organs and body parts using stem cells.

Whenever the body does not recognize the series of antigens on the cell walls, it creates antibodies and other substances to destroy the cell. A bone marrow transplant between identical twins guarantees complete HLA compatibility between donor and recipient.

These were the first kinds of transplants in humans. It was not until the 's that physicians knew enough about HLA compatibility to perform transplants between siblings who were not identical twins. In a team of physicians performed the first unrelated bone marrow transplant. It required 7 transplants to be successful. In Congress passed the National Organ Transplant Act, which among other things, included language to evaluate unrelated marrow transplantation and the feasibility of establishing a national donor registry.

This led ultimately to National Marrow Donor Program NDWP a separate non-profit organization that took over the administration of the database needed for donors in The 's saw rapid expansion and success of the bone marrow program with more than 16, transplants to date for the treatment of immunodeficiencies and leukemia.

Adult stem cells also have shown great promise in other areas. These cells have shown the potential to form many different kinds of cell types and tissues, including functional hepatocyte-like liver cells. Such cells might be useful in repairing organs ravaged by diseases.

In , James Thompson University of Wisconsin - Madison isolated cells from the inner cell mass of early embryos, and developed the first embryonic stem cell lines. In the same year, John Gearhart Johns Hopkins University derived germ cells from cells in fetal gonadal tissue primordial germ cells.

Pluripotent stem cell "lines" were developed from both sources. These researchers are able to remove the genes necessary to reprogram an adult cell into a stem cell after the reprogramming step is complete.

March 9, — President Barack Obama signs Executive Order to repeal some of the restrictions on human embryonic stem cell research funds placed by the previous administration. The order requires the National Institutes of Health to draft new guidelines for federal funding policies within days. July 7, — The NIH issues the revised guidelines on federal funding for stem cell research. Included are strict provisions for informed donor consent and the ethical procurement of leftover embryos from in vitro fertilization.

These trials are being conducted in leukemia and lymphoma patients who have been implanted with blood stem cells from donated umbilical cords. If the trials are successful, single doses of umbilical cord blood stem cells , combined with PGE2, may be a viable source for blood stem cells for adult patients who cannot receive a bone marrow transplant. Any scientist wanting to conduct research on any of these cell lines can now apply for federal funding.

Read more in this blog post. Stem cells hold great promise and potential in the field of medicine, whether doctors inject them into patients to replace diseased bone marrow , or lab scientists scrutinize them under a microscope to see how lung cancer develops. The road to innovation is long and full of obstacles, and there are plenty of questions left unanswered.

But progress is ongoing and in many cases startling. April 28, The National Institutes of Health approves an additional 13 new human embryonic stem cell lines for federal funding , including nine lines that had never before been eligible for federal funding and four old lines that had been eligible under the Bush administration.