February 4, 2005

Stem Cells That Qualify for Federal Funds May Be Useless for Treatment, Study Says

By JEFFREY BRAINARD

All of the human embryonic stem cells available to federally financed scientists contain an animal molecule that would be attacked by the human immune system, raising doubts about the cells' utility for medical treatments, according to a study published last week.

Scientists have long harbored concerns about possible contamination of the human cells by cells from mice and fetal calves. Until recently, researchers have failed to grow the finicky human stem cells except in the presence

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