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2002 in context

Nature 420, 734-735 (19 December 2002) | doi:10.1038/420734a

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Stem cells: Articles of faith adulterated

Helen Pearson

Believing in miracles takes conviction — and 2002 saw researchers' faith in the healing power of adult stem cells sorely tested, as the cells' regenerative abilities became the focus of intense debate.At issue was some scientists' belief that adult stem cells — long thought to spawn only a limited range of cell types, such as blood cells — can 'transdifferentiate' and generate other tissues such as nerves and skin.