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Advances in the derivation of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) and their differentiation to specific cell types could have diverse clinical applications. Trounson and DeWitt provide an overview of the progress in using embryonic stem cell and induced PSC derivatives for disease treatment and discuss the potential and limitations of such approaches.
Bio-art — the crossover of art and biology — comes in many forms, including genetic portraits, transgenic animals and semi-living entities. But why do artists and scientists come together to collaborate on such projects, and what are the ethical implications of turning life into art?
The 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Act and its amendments regulate the derivation of human embryonic stem cells in the United Kingdom. A new bill, which has just passed through Parliament, will have important consequences for research in embryos and stem cells.
In the absence of federal regulations, guidelines for human embryonic stem-cell research in the United States have been developed by independent scientific organizations. These guidelines ensure the ethical conduct of stem-cell research and serve as a template for the development of individual states' legislations.
During recent decades, the lack of appropriate funding has made it difficult for European basic research to compete with research in North America and parts of Asia. The establishment of the European Research Council promises new opportunities to boost European science.
In the shadow of societal upheaval and transformation, Eastern and South-Eastern European countries have been undergoing major reforms of their scientific and academic landscapes. Although the reforms have been slow, the success of several molecular biology institutes has highlighted what can be achieved.