Embryonic Stem Cells: Problems and Possible Solutions

Animal models have demonstrated that transplanted embryonic cells are exposed to the immune reactions similar to those acting on organ transplants, hence immunosuppression of the recipient is generally required. It is, however, possible to obtain embryonic stem cells that are genetically identical to the patient’s own cells. The nucleus from the patient’s somatic cell is transferred into an egg after removal of the egg’s own genetic material (a technique known as nuclear transfer or therapeutic cloning). Under specific condition the egg will use genetic information from the patient’s somatic cell in organizing the formation of a blastocyst which in turn generates embryonic stem cells. These cells have a genetic composition identical to that of patient, are suitable for stem cell therapy, will generate patient’s own proteins, and escape the danger for “self-attack” and immune rejection [1].