'Virgin' stem cells created; uses abound

Russian researchers said this week than they have uncovered a way to transform human egg cells where they can develop stem cells that look and act like embryonic stem cells. Of course, no embryo is required.

The scientists stated that the new discovery could produce stem cells that matches the tissue types of many different kinds of people, and that these new cells could be carefully tissue-matched in the same way as bone marrow donations to prevent rejection once implanted inside an actual person.

This, if it becomes a medical procedure that gains a following, would be "relatively safe and ethically sound," according to one of the study's researchers, Jeffrey Janus. The process involves chemically tricking an egg into developing without being fertilized by sperm.