Melton’s research was funded by the University, HHMI and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Currently, scientists in Melton’s laboratory will use the stem cell lines to study type 1 diabetes. Patients with type 1 diabetes lack insulin-producing cells, a problem found most commonly in children.
Melton wishes to direct the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to form insulin-producing cells, according to the press release.
Despite researchers’ excitement over the availability of the new cell lines, others warn that the government ought to be cautious in drafting stem cell policy.
“I think that with every technology comes responsibility, and so there may be other ways—more efficacious ways to advance technology but maintain responsibility,” said Anthony E. Oro, a stem cell researcher and assistant professor of dermatology at Stanford School of Medicine.
—Staff writer Risheng Xu can be reached at xu4@fas.harvard.edu.