Santa Monica, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/29/2010 -- Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. ("ACT"; OTCBB:ACTC) announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the Company's Investigational New Drug (IND) application to immediately initiate a Phase I/II multicenter clinical trial using retinal cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to treat patients with Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy (SMD), one of the most common forms of juvenile macular degeneration in the world. The decision removes the clinical hold that the FDA had placed on the trial.

Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy causes progressive vision loss, usually starting in children between 10 to 20 years of age. Eventually, blindness results from photoreceptor loss associated with degeneration in the pigmented layer of the retina, called the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). . "There is currently no treatment for Stargardt's disease," said Dr. Robert Lanza, ACT's Chief Scientific Officer. "Using stem cells, we can generate a virtually unlimited supply of healthy RPE cells, which are the first cells to die off in SMD and other forms of macular degeneration. We've tested these cells in animal models of eye disease. In rats, we've seen 100% improvement in visual performance over untreated animals without any adverse effects. Our studies showed that the cells were capable of extensive rescue of photoreceptors in animals that otherwise would have gone blind. Near-normal function was also achieved in a mouse model of Stargardt's disease. We hope to see a similar benefit in patients with various forms of macular degeneration."

The Phase I/II trial will be a prospective, open-label study that is designed to determine the safety and tolerability of the RPE cells following sub-retinal transplantation to patients with advanced SMD. A total of twelve patients will be enrolled in the study at multiple clinical sites. The sites which are currently under consideration are the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA (headed by Dr. Steven Schwartz); the Casey Eye Institute in Portland, Oregon (headed by Dr. Peter Francis of the Oregon Health Sciences University); the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Massachusetts (headed by Dr. Shalesh Kaushal, Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology); the UMDNJ – New Jersey Medical School in Newark, New Jersey (headed by Dr. Marco Zarbin, Chair, Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science); additional sites may be considered.

Earlier this year the FDA also granted Orphan Drug designation for the company's RPE cells. As a result, the company is eligible to receive a number of benefits, including tax credits, access to grant funding for clinical trials such as this one, accelerated FDA approval, and allowance for marketing exclusivity after drug approval for a period of as long as seven years.Raymond Lund, Ph.D., a scientific collaborator with ACT, and considered one of the world's foremost experts in retinal cell physiology and vision restoration, commented, "The study results of ACT's RPE cells implanted in the various animal models of macular degeneration was phenomenal. If ACT observes even a fraction of that benefit in humans, it will be nothing short of a home run."

"Initiating our macular degeneration clinical trial represents a significant milestone in the progress of developing human embryonic stem cell-based therapies aimed at large worldwide markets," said William M. Caldwell IV, ACT's Chairman and CEO. "I think generations will look back at this time as one of the most exciting in the history of medicine. With the initiation of this clinical trial, and that of Geron's earlier this fall, the field of regenerative medicine is poised to take embryonic stem cell therapies from the realm of nebulous potential to that of tangible and real treatments that will make a significant difference in the lives of millions of people worldwide. This is truly a 'game changer' for the medical community."

Among the most common causes of untreatable blindness in the world are degenerative diseases of the retina. As many as thirty million people in the United States and Europe suffer from macular degeneration, which represents a $25-30 billion worldwide market that has yet to be effectively addressed.

Approximately 10% of people ages 66 to 74 will have symptoms of macular degeneration, the vast majority the "dry" form of AMD – which is currently untreatable. The prevalence increases to 30% in patients 75 to 85 years of age.

"These patient numbers are staggering in size," stated Edmund Mickunas, ACT's Vice President of Regulatory, "and when the impact on health and quality-of-life is considered in that context, macular degeneration represents one of the more significant unmet medical needs in our society. With the momentum of this Stargardt's trial, and the unique experience we have gained as one of the few companies in the world having succeeded in taking an hESC program into the clinic, we are preparing to extend our lead with an IND in the use for treating age-related macular degeneration, as well as filing to begin clinical trials in Europe, in the very near future."

About Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. is a biotechnology company applying cellular technology in the field of regenerative medicine. For more information, visit http://www.advancedcell.com. Forward-Looking Statements: Statements in this news release regarding future financial and operating results, future growth in research and development programs, potential applications of our technology, opportunities for the company and any other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates," and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including: limited operating history, need for future capital, risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential products, protection of our intellectual property, and economic conditions generally. Additional information on potential factors that could affect our results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in the company's periodic reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions, and expectations of the company's management at the time they are made, and the company does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions, expectations, or other circumstances should change. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions, and expectations of the company's management at the time they are made, and the company does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions, expectations, or other circumstances should change.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Key Patent Covers Fundamental Methods for Producing RPE Cells from Embryonic Stem Cells Including IP Used in Phase I Trial to Treat Patients with Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy.

Worcester, MA -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/18/2010 -- Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. ("ACT"; OTCBB: ACTC), a leader in the field of regenerative medicine, announced today that it has been issued U.S. Patent Number 7736896, which is broadly directed to processes developed by ACT scientists for the production of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Issued with 35 claims, the patent covers what the company believes are the fundamental methods for producing RPE cells from hESCs in a manner that is suitable for use in human patients. The Company expects to use RPE cells in its Phase I trial to treat patients with Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy (SMD) and in other pre-clinical applications.

"The efficient production of highly pure RPE cell preparations derived from human embryonic stem cells represents the first critical step in the creation of a renewable source of transplantable cells that can be used to target diseases such as Stargardt's Disease and Age-related Macular Degeneration," said Robert Lanza, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer of ACT.

"For many of these patients there are no available treatments. We have demonstrated that our stem cell-derived RPE cells can rescue visual function in animals that otherwise would have gone blind. We are anxious to get our clinical trials underway with the hope that these cells will be similarly efficacious in patients."

"This broad patent covers technology underlying a number of ACT's important platforms," said William M. Caldwell IV, Chairman and CEO of ACT. "We are optimistic that the culturing processes covered by this new patent, which produce RPE cells with no contamination by hESCs, should establish a formidable barrier to entry for potential competitors. Our RPE technology is safe, scalable and has tremendous potential for treating many of the 200-plus retinal diseases. This patent should assist us in achieving our objective of becoming one of the dominant players in this potentially very large market."

The issuance of this patent is the latest in a number of encouraging developments for ACT's RPE program:

• At the end of last year the Company filed an Investigational New Drug Application with the FDA.

• In February of this year the National Institutes of Health (NIH) proposed expanding its definition of hESCs for funding purposes, potentially benefiting the Company's RPE program by including its proprietary "embryo-safe" Blastomere technology.

• In March of this year ACT's RPE cells were granted Orphan Drug Status by the FDA.

• Within the past week ACT received NIH approval for one of its hESC lines (MA135) which now qualifies it for utilizing it for federally-funded R&D programs.

The Company continues to anticipate approval from the FDA to initiate its Phase I/II human clinical trials in the third quarter of this year, with the expectation of treating the first patients in the fourth quarter. The company then plans to take steps toward initiating another clinical trial relating for the use of RPE cells in the treatment of dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). At present there is no approved treatment for dry AMD, a $20-30 billion potential market.

About Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. is a biotechnology company applying cellular technology in the field of regenerative medicine. For more information, visit http://www.advancedcell.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this news release regarding future financial and operating results, future growth in research and development programs, potential applications of our technology, opportunities for the company and any other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates," and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including: limited operating history, need for future capital, risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential products, protection of our intellectual property, and economic conditions generally. Additional information on potential factors that could affect our results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in the company's periodic reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions, and expectations of the company's management at the time they are made, and the company does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions, expectations, or other circumstances should change. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions, and expectations of the company's management at the time they are made, and the company does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions, expectations, or other circumstances should change.

Contact
Investors:
CEOcast, Inc. for Advanced Cell
Dan Schustack, 212-732-4300

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Access to Federal Funding Could Accelerate Clinical Development

Worcester, MA -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/14/2010 -- Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. ("ACT"; OTCBB: ACTC) announced today that human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line MA135 was unanimously approved for federal funding at the 100th Meeting of the Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD) National Institutes of Health (NIH).  In addition to MA135, seven additional stem cell lines derived at ACT are currently under review by the NIH.  Five of these lines were produced without using ACT's proprietary single-blastomere "embryo-safe" technology. The federal funding could accelerate the company's clinical activities.

There were previously only 67 hESC lines eligible for use in NIH-funded research. "We are extremely pleased with the NIH's decision to add this line to their registry," said Robert Lanza, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer of ACT.  "This decision facilitates the use of embryonic stem cells as a potential source of replacement cells to treat a wide range of human diseases".

"This approval is a watershed moment for the company, because it provides the company with the opportunity to pursue non-dilutive federally funded research programs utilizing a stem cell line derived solely by technology that we deployed," said William M. Caldwell IV, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ACT. "We are optimistic that we will secure approval for additional lines using our single-cell blastomere technology in the coming months as the NIH finalizes their Proposed Rule Making expanding the definition of what will constitute a stem cell line that is eligible for federal funding. We applaud the NIH for its ongoing efforts to make more stem cell lines available to the scientific community."

About Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. is a biotechnology company applying cellular technology in the field of regenerative medicine. For more information, visit http://www.advancedcell.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this news release regarding future financial and operating results, future growth in research and development programs, potential applications of our technology, opportunities for the company and any other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates," and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including: limited operating history, need for future capital, risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential products, protection of our intellectual property, and economic conditions generally. Additional information on potential factors that could affect our results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in the company's periodic reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions, and expectations of the company's management at the time they are made, and the company does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions, expectations, or other circumstances should change.

Contact:
Investors:
CEOcast, Inc. for Advanced Cell
Dan Schustack, 212-732-4300
or
Press:
Gotham Communications, LLC
Bill Douglass, 646-450-3615

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Worcester, MA -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/26/2010 -- Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. ("ACT"; OTCBB: ACTC) announced today that it has completed key animal studies in connection with its Phase I multicenter study using embryonic stem cell derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) cells to treat patients with Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy (SMD), for which it filed an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November. The studies demonstrated an excellent safety profile with no safety signals such as tumors or ectopic tissues. The studies were designed to address the FDA's request for additional data on tumorigenicity and biodistribution. The Company believes that the data will support the FDA granting clearance for the Company to commence the SMD study in humans later this year. The studies were completed in conjunction with Sinclair Research, based in Columbia, Missouri, Charles River Labs, MPI and Althea Labs, which have been the company's outside independent collaborators on both studies.

"We believe these animal studies demonstrate an excellent safety profile for our RPE cell therapy," said William M. Caldwell IV, ACT's Chairman & CEO . "We look forward to concluding our discussions with the FDA so that we can commence our study later this year."

The Phase I trial will be a prospective, open-label study that is designed to determine the safety and tolerability of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells following sub-retinal transplantation to advanced patients with SMD. A total of twelve patients will be enrolled into the study at three clinical sites, to include the Casey Eye Institute, Portland, Oregon (headed by Dr. Peter Francis of the Oregon Health & Sciences University); the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts (headed by Dr. Shalesh Kaushal, Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology); and the UMDNJ – New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey (headed by Dr. Marco Zarbin, Chair, Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science).

Degenerative diseases of the retina are among the most common causes of untreatable blindness in the world. As many as ten million people in the United States have photoreceptor degenerative disease. While most of these patients have Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), a smaller number of patients have Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy, a disease indication for which ACT was granted "Orphan Status" for its proposed clinical trial by the US Department of Health and Human Services earlier this year. ACT's treatment for eye disease is sourced with human Pluripotent stem cells that are differentiated into RPE cells used to augment the patient's existing, deteriorating RPE layer. The RPE cells are often the first to die off in SMD and AMD, which is a contributor to the patient's loss of vision.

Several years ago ACT scientists successfully derived RPE cells from human embryonic stem cells. Later, they were able to derive them from cells developed from the Company's proprietary "blastomere" technology that does not destroy the embryo. Subsequent studies found that the cells could restore vision in animal models of macular degeneration. In the Royal College of Surgeon (RCS) rat model, implantation of RPE cells resulted in 100% improvement in visual performance over untreated controls, without any adverse effects. The cells survived for more than 220 days and sustained extensive photoreceptor rescue. Functional rescue was also achieved in the "Stargardt's" mouse with near-normal functional measurements recorded at more than 70 days.

About Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. is a biotechnology company applying cellular technology in the field of regenerative medicine. For more information, visit http://www.advancedcell.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this news release regarding future financial and operating results, future growth in research and development programs, potential applications of our technology, opportunities for the company and any other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates," and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including: limited operating history, need for future capital, risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential products, protection of our intellectual property, and economic conditions generally. Additional information on potential factors that could affect our results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in the company's periodic reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions, and expectations of the company's management at the time they are made, and the company does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions, expectations, or other circumstances should change. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions, and expectations of the company's management at the time they are made, and the company does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions, expectations, or other circumstances should change.

Contact:

Investors:
CEOcast, Inc. for Advanced Cell
Dan Schustack, 212-732-4300
or
Press:
Gotham Communications, LLC
Bill Douglass, 646-450-3615

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Santa Monica, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/21/2010 -- WORCESTER -- Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (OTCBB: ACTC), a biotechnology company applying cellular technology in the field of regenerative medicine, announced that company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer William M. Caldwell IV was interviewed yesterday on Bloomberg Radio's popular mid-day program, The Hays Advantage, hosted by Kathleen Hays.

The discussion covered Advanced Cell's retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell program for the treatment of Stargardt's disease and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of blindness in Americans over 60 years of age. Mr. Caldwell and Mr. Hays discussed the size of the potential market for an embryonic stem cell-based cure for AMD, with Mr. Caldwell commenting, "Kathleen, if you and I live long enough, we most likely will get [AMD]. Over ten million Americans suffer from this disease."

Mr. Caldwell was Ms. Hays' sole guest for the wide-ranging, 20-minute interview. Other topics included health care reform, the importance of government funding of basic science research and development, and the investment potential of Advanced Cell Technology and other companies working in the regenerative medicine field.

Ms. Hays concluded the discussion of AMD and the potential for ACTC's RPE therapy to address the disease with a positive assessment: "It seems that, as a society, we might come out ahead, investing all the money in companies like yours, paying for these treatments, if [the result is that people suffering from AMD] can still see when they get old."

Mr. Caldwell also discussed some of Advanced Cell Technology's other research programs, including its research into producing blood from embryonic stem cells, saying, "We can manufacture blood, and hopefully that will have all sorts of applications, including for the military… to address issues around the lack of blood for soldiers out in the field." He also discussed the company's Myoblast program for the treatment of heart failure.

Mr. Caldwell commented on the overall stem cell industry, saying, "It's an exciting field and it needs a little bit of a kick-start. That's why we believe our initial indication will help validate the industry, because it's what we believe to be low-hanging fruit."

The interview may be accessed on ACT's website at the following link:
http://www.advancedcell.com/media-gallery-item/bloomberg-radio-interviews-actc-chairman-and-ceo-william-m-caldwell-iv

The Company also announced that it would present today at BIO- Europe Spring 2010 4th Annual International Partnering Conference, an event that brings many of the leading international biotechnology companies to Barcelona, Spain.

About Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. is a biotechnology company applying cellular technology in the field of regenerative medicine. For more information, visit http://www.advancedcell.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this news release regarding future financial and operating results, future growth in research and development programs, potential applications of our technology, opportunities for the company and any other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates," and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including: limited operating history, need for future capital, risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential products, protection of our intellectual property, and economic conditions generally. Additional information on potential factors that could affect our results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in the company's periodic reports, including the report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions, and expectations of the company's management at the time they are made, and the company does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions, expectations, or other circumstances should change.Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions, and expectations of the company's management at the time they are made, and the company does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions, expectations, or other circumstances should change.

Contact:

Press:
Bill Douglass
Gotham Communications, LLC
(646) 450-3615

Investors:
CEOcast, Inc. for Advanced Cell
Dan Schustack, 212-732-4300

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Santa Monica, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/05/2010 -- The National Institutes of Health is proposing to expand its definition of human embryonic stem cells, enabling the university researchers it finances to work with cells derived from a very early human egg.

The proposal will benefit several academic researchers and a company, Advanced Cell Technology, that has filed a request with the Food and Drug Administration to test a treatment for macular degeneration, an eye disease. If approved, it would be among the first clinical tests of embryonic stem cells, which were first discovered in 1998.

Most human embryonic stem cell lines are generated from the blastocyst, an embryonic stage reached five days after fertilization. Government-financed researchers are forbidden by Congress to generate such cell lines because the blastocyst is destroyed, but were allowed by President George W. Bush to work on lines already in existence as of Aug. 9, 2001.

Researchers chafed under these limits because they could derive new lines only with private money. In December, President Obama said federally supported researchers could use many of these privately derived cell lines in their research.

The N.I.H. now proposes to add to its list of approved cell lines those created from blastomeres, the cells generated after the fertilized egg's first few divisions.

"We thought it made no sense to exclude these," said Lana R. Skirboll, an adviser to the director of the agency.

Dr. Robert Lanza, chief scientific officer of Advanced Cell Technology, said the company hopes to start clinical trials this year in which blastomere-derived cells will be used to treat macular degeneration. The company is now responding to F.D.A. requests for further safety data.

As a private company, Advanced Cell itself is not bound by N.I.H. rules, but its clinical trial, to be conducted with the Foundation Fighting Blindness, will be supported by the Department of Defense, so the institutes' approval of the cells is required, Dr. Lanza said.

Researchers at Advanced Cell pioneered the development of embryonic stem cells from blastomeres and have learned how to convert these cells into the special cells that form the basement of the retina. In animal tests, the blastomere-derived retinal cells grew well and allowed the light-detecting rod and cone cells to regenerate, improving the animals' vision, Dr. Lanza said.

Another company, Geron, has received F.D.A. approval for a clinical trial to test human embryonic stem cells to treat spinal cord injury but the trial has been postponed.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Santa Monica, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/05/2010 -- The National Institutes of Health is proposing a small change to the definition of "human embryonic stem cell" that could have a big effect on their long-term ability to lead to cures for a variety of diseases.

President Obama asked the NIH to come up with new guidelines for funding human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research, and those guidelines define the cells as ones that

"are derived from the inner cell mass of blastocyst stage human embryos, are capable of dividing without differentiating for a prolonged period in culture, and are known to develop into cells and tissues of the three primary germ layers."

In plain English, that means that the cells come from embryos that are 4 to 6 days old, when they have grown into a ball of roughly 100 cells. Scientists in the lab can convert these cells into stem cells that retain the ability to grow into any type of tissue in the body, dismantling the embryo in the process.

But some researchers have complained that the definition was too restrictive. For instance, it would appear to exclude stem cells derived from younger embryos -- called blastomeres -- with only eight cells. It would even exclude embryonic stem cells derived from a single blastomere cell using the same biopsy technique employed for pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. This method has the advantage of producing human embryonic stem cells without destroying the human embryos they come from.

In a filing made Friday afternoon, the NIH acknowledged the problem with its original definition:

"This definition had the unintended consequence of excluding certain hESCs which may otherwise be appropriate for Federal funding. For example, the current definition excludes hESCs from an embryo which fails to develop to the blastocyst stage."

So the agency proposes changing the definition of human embryonic stem cells to include

"pluripotent cells that are derived from early stage human embryos, up to and including the blastocyst stage, are capable of dividing without differentiating for a prolonged period in culture, and are known to develop into cells and tissues of the three primary germ layers."

The proposed change was published in the Federal Register. Members of the public can comment on the change at http://hescregapp.od.nih.gov/comments/add.htm before it takes final effect.

One stem cell researcher, Dr. Robert Lanza, has already voiced enthusiastic support for the change. His company, Advanced Cell Technology, has developed several cell lines from single blastomeres. One of those cell lines was used to grow retinal pigment epithelial cells that could treat patients with a rare eye disease called Stargardt's macular dystrophy. The company asked the FDA for permission to conduct a Phase I/II clinical trial last year.

"It would have been a disaster to exclude these valuable hESC lines from consideration for federal funding, especially since the leftover embryos used to generate them meet all the NIH requirements," he said in an e-mail. "It shouldn't matter what cells they were derived from. In fact, it could be strongly argued that these hESC lines are more ethical since they can be derived without embryo destruction."

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