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The consensus among global scientists is that the latest achievement by Professor Hwang Woo-suk will be of major impact. They say the fact that the Seoul scientist has succeeded in creating stem cells that are genetic matches to patients with incurable diseases will open a new era of medical treatment.
It was last year when Professor Hwang stunned the world by announcing that he had succeeded in creating a stem cell line by cloning a human somatic cell. But the cloned cells were from one healthy woman.
This time, the cells were from 11 patients, male and female, aged between two and 56. Also, the professor used an average 17 human eggs per batch of stem cells, a big progress from last year's 242. But above all, the achievement is hailed for its safety.
"The toughest question of how to deal with the immune system rejection has been answered. This thesis has opened not just one, but four securely locked doors at the same time."
Professor Hwang's team also eliminated the use of mouse "feeder cells" that until now have been used to nourish human stem cell lines, easing concerns about animal contamination.
Despite the global clamor, the research is most likely to trigger a heated debate on ethics. Critics are highlighting the fact that the team used freshly harvested human eggs instead of using leftovers from fertility treatment centers. They are also criticizing the use of hormones to facilitate ovulation.
Arirang TV
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