Photo: a growth medium is added to a dish in which stem cells are grown

Photo: a growth medium is added to a dish in which stem cells are grown

A YOUNG GIRL in Sweden has been the recipient of a pioneering new transplant procedure, which saw her receive a vein grown from stem cells taken from her own body.

The 10-year-old girl had been suffering from a portal vein obstruction – a condition that can lead to serious complications and even death.

The issue of stem cell research remains a contentious one – largely because the creation of a human embryonic stem cell line requires the destruction of a human embryo. However, adult stem cells can also be used for research purposes – as in the case above.

No consistent set of regulations regarding stem cell research exist across the European Union, and laws vary across the world.

We’d like to know what you think about the issue: do you support embryonic stem cell research?

