14 DAY TRIAL // Human stem cell research has been a controversial subject all around the globe for many years, because of the fact that the harvesting of viable stem cells has to be conducted on viable human embryos. Religious and anti-abortion groups say that this is a crime, as the embryos would have otherwise grown to become adults. But the benefits that could be drawn from this type of research far outweigh the risks involved. Apparently, the Japanese government believes this as well, as does US President Barack Obama.
The Riken Institute in Japan is a government-backed research center, currently working on stem cell research. Recently, the institution released a statement, pointing out that its scientists managed to create the first viable brain tissue from human embryonic stem cells. This is a major breakthrough in this field, seeing how, thus far, no team has been able to create more than a single cell.
The Japanese research yielded a functional brain tissue, which organized itself into 4 distinct layers, each with its own role. When stimuli were applied to it, the tissue revealed signs of neural activity, such as the transmission of electrical impulses between its cells. This can only mean that the outside impulse was processed, admittedly to little extent, inside the new tissue.
This is a major find, says Yoshiki Sasai, the leader of the science team at the Riken Center for Development Biology, in the city of Kobe. The potential applications for this type of tissue are extensive and range from experimental usage, for detecting potential cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's, to "spare parts" for human transplants. Biologists say that all types of human cells can be grown from stem cells, and they can also be arranged to form any pattern needed.
Diseases such as cancer and diabetes may become a thing of the past, if the new research benefits from further funding and international support. The researchers are optimistic that other breakthroughs in stem cell research will soon follow, and that even larger tissues will be constructed from embryonic cells.