The recent breakthroughs in stem cell research, where adult cells were "reprogrammed" to act like embryonic stem cells, are too early-stage to have much influence on Big Pharma's venture capital investments, experts say.
Biotech stocks were volatile Tuesday after separate teams of researchers said they have "reprogrammed" adult cells to mimic the properties of human embryonic stem cells - side-stepping the controversy associated with their use in the search for cures of many diseases and afflictions.
Some of the biotechs specializing in stem cell research took a hit Thursday after the Senate voted to remove a ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research but not by a wide enough margin to overcome an expected presidential veto.
Two new stem cell treatments could be entering the U.S. market next year.
The results of Missouri's referendum on stem cell research Tuesday could impact several biotechs specializing in that line of work.
It's hard to imagine pro-lifers and medical researchers ever seeing eye-to-eye on stem cell research (or anything else, for that matter). But a promising new study has led to talk of a detente.
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