Researchers report stem cell alternative

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Scientists say they might have found an alternative to embryonic stem cells that would allow them to exit an ethics debate over using discarded embryos.

Researchers said they found a way to coax adult cells to regress into an embryonic state, The Washington Post reported Saturday.

"We have removed a major roadblock for translating this into a clinical setting," said Konrad Hochedlinger, a Harvard University stem cell researcher. "I think it's an important advance."

His research was published online Friday by the journal Science.

"This is a huge step forward -- it could be the breakthrough we've been looking for," said Robert Lanza, a stem cell researcher at Advanced Cell Technology in Worcester, Mass.

Since embryonic stem cells are believed capable of becoming any type of cell in the body, scientists hope to use them to create new tissue to meet individual patients' needs.

Stem cell research is controversial because the cells were originally obtained by destroying early-stage embryos. U.S. President George Bush has restricted federal funding for projects requiring new stem cell lines.