Stem Cell Breakthrough

There has been a huge breakthrough in stem cell research. Before I go into detail however, I must first explain the backstory to those of you who haven't kept up on political issues. Stem Cells are cells found in human embryos, which are capable of developing into just about any type of cell. Over the last decade or so, people had been doing research to see if they could be used to regenerate limbs, organs, and other things for people with diseases. Shortly after President Bush took office, he tried to put a stop to it. He did this because, in order to do this research, the embryo must be destroyed. It was essentially the same as the abortion debate. Though the stem cell research was slightly different, while abortion destroys unborn babies, stem cell research must first create life for the sole purpose of destroying it. There was a lot of controversy, and argumements, but the president got the final say, and he tried to devise a compromise. While he didn't declare stem cell research to be illegal, as many conservatives wanted, he did cut off the government funding, and and instead put that money towards alternate ways of doing the research. This angered everyone and pleased no one.
That brings us to today's story. You see, all of that research has finallly paid off. A few days ago, researchers at the University of Wisconsin, were experimenting with skin cells as part of the president's program. They found that when you change the genetic code of the skin cells only slightly, they miraculously become stem cells. Thus giving them stem cells to experiment on WITHOUT KILLING ANYTHING! Not only is this new method more ethical, it is also cheaper and easier. While the old methods of research required huge labs and expensive equipment, this new method can be done at almost any university with a decent science lab. So, while a few years ago, President Bush was labeled as being anti-science, his programs have now created one of the most important scientific breakthroughs in the history of Biology.