Skin Cells Turned Into Healthy Heart Muscle Cells

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18158122

Scientists have been able to make healthy heart muscle in a laboratory using a patients skin cells just recently. The great thing about essentially having the ability to 'grow your own heart' is that the immune system would not detect the muscle as a foreign object in the body, therefore eliminating the chance of tissue rejection. As well, the organ that is generated is considered to be new, healthy, and young, just as it is when a human is first born. I think this is a great starting point for scientists who are studying stem cell therapy. Although it is not yet safe to use this new practice in humans, it has been successfully tested on rats. In the future it is predicted that humans will be able to have this heart muscle placed in their own body. This gives new hope to patients waiting for heart transplants, and even other organ transplants. With continued study and research I truly think that scientists will be able to develop other types of tissue from skin cells. This really is life saving material!

I watched a video in bio class last semester regarding this technology and as Cassidy expressed, the life saving potential is truly phenomenal. When we think about the cells of our body we would never describe them as being "aware", but the way in which stem cells specialize and coordinate is so wonderfully complex it seems as though cells have a mind of their own. This biological technology has been utilized by experts for the treatment of various heart problems (e.g. Diabetes), as well as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, which provides hopes to all those afflicted by these diseases. Although immense research and experimentation is still to come before such technology can become available to the public, it is certainly a sign of progress and a healthier future.