Research on animal oocytes obtained from rabbits and cows as a substitute for human cells for the production of stem cells began due to the shortage of donors.
The studies found that even though the animal-human embryos looked similar to the human-human embryos, they did not catalyse the change in the genetic material of the donor nucleus, as the normal embryos or human-human clones did. That is, the animal oocytes did not obtain up-regulation that is crucial in stem cell production. Generally speaking, the animal egg cells were not capable of reprogramming the human cells, hence could not become any type of somatic cell. If this was possible, it could be potentially beneficial to patients undergoing cell/tissue repair or replacement treatment.
Thus if is unfortunate to conclude that the use of animal oocytes for the production of patient-specific stem cells are impractical at this stage. Furthermore, if it was a suitable means, it could also have been an answer to the various ethical issues concerning stem cell research.
Reference:
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News (2009, February 4). Animal Eggs Not Suitable Substitutes To Produce Stem Cells, Study Demonstrates. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 20, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090202175055.htm
