Professor Ian Wilmut has welcomed the news of an alternative to embryonic stem cells.
The scientist who cloned Dolly the sheep has moved away from embryo research because a better technique has been developed in Japan using adult skin cells.
Professor Ian Wilmut told the BBC, "The work which was described from Japan of using a technique to change cells from a patient directly into stem cells without making an embryo has got so much more potential."
Stem cells are the body's 'master' cells, which can be grown into various kinds of body tissues. Scientists hope to harness this process to treat various medical conditions.
Up to now, some scientists have insisted that stem cells from embryos were most likely to lead to clinical treatments. However, this method involves the destruction of a human embryo and so far no treatments have been developed. Research using adult stem cells has shown more promise.
News of an alternative, non-embryonic technique has been welcomed by pro-life groups. Josephine Quintavalle, of Comment on Reproductive Ethics, told the BBC: "At last scientists are starting to see reason. It is a gift to us all. We are at last going to see some common sense coming into the debate."
A Government Bill currently in Parliament plans to make embryonic stem cell research easier. Critics say this proposal now appears to be behind the times. However some scientists claim there is still a need to continue with embryonic stem cell research in order to make adult stem cell research therapeutically useful.
RTF