In a dramatic scientific first, two independent research teams announced in November 1998 that they had successfully isolated and grown a special kind of cell with the potential to develop into virtually any kind of human tissue. The breakthrough was widely hailed as a pioneering event with vast potential for biological research. Many experts believe the cells, known as embryonic stem cells, could lead to new methods of drug discovery, improve scientific understanding of developmental biology, …
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…of Health (NIH), which finances the bulk of biomedical research at U.S. universities, are expected to decide in the coming months whether federally funded scientists can experiment with the cells. To sidestep funding restrictions, Thomson and Gearhart relied on private monies to finance their studies, most of it coming from the Geron Corporation of Menlo Park, California. The company holds the rights to develop and commercially exploit the discoveries made by the research teams.