Scientists: Skin cells can behave like stem cells

Scientists have made ordinary human skin cells take on the chameleon-like powers of embryonic stem cells, a startling breakthrough that might someday deliver the medical payoffs of embryo cloning without the controversy.

Laboratory teams on two continents report success in a pair of landmark papers released Tuesday. It is a neck-and-neck finish to a race that made headlines five months ago, when scientists announced that the feat had been accomplished in mice.

By Malcolm Ritter, Associated Press

Full Story: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/genetics/2007-11-20-stem-cells-skin-cells_N.htm