Skip to Content

Stem Cell Hunters Capture Their Prey

The human embryonic stem cell, which could be used to grow any other human tissue, has been a stubborn and elusive prey (see “The Troubled Hunt for the Ultimate Cell,” TR July/August 1998). Now, in the scientific equivalent of a photo finish, two teams have announced, in Science and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, respectively, the isolation of stem cells from human embryos. Their results could have very significant implications for biological research and transplant medicine.

The race was complicated by a ban on federal funds for embryo research and opposition from pro-life groups. As a result, funding has come from the private sector. Indeed, both winning groups, one led by James Thomson of the University of Wisconsin, the other by John Gearhart of Johns Hopkins University, had financial backing from Geron Corp., a biotech company in Menlo Park, Calif.

Though the race for the ultimate human cell may be over, the story isn’t. Researchers are likely to tangle for rights to claim the discovery-and patent applications already filed by other teams could complicate the picture.

Keep Reading

Most Popular

Geoffrey Hinton tells us why he’s now scared of the tech he helped build

“I have suddenly switched my views on whether these things are going to be more intelligent than us.”

ChatGPT is going to change education, not destroy it

The narrative around cheating students doesn’t tell the whole story. Meet the teachers who think generative AI could actually make learning better.

Meet the people who use Notion to plan their whole lives

The workplace tool’s appeal extends far beyond organizing work projects. Many users find it’s just as useful for managing their free time.

Learning to code isn’t enough

Historically, learn-to-code efforts have provided opportunities for the few, but new efforts are aiming to be inclusive.

Stay connected

Illustration by Rose Wong

Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review

Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.

Thank you for submitting your email!

Explore more newsletters

It looks like something went wrong.

We’re having trouble saving your preferences. Try refreshing this page and updating them one more time. If you continue to get this message, reach out to us at customer-service@technologyreview.com with a list of newsletters you’d like to receive.