Dr Lorenz Studer, head of the Stem Cell and Tumor Biology Laboratory at the centre, and the lead researcher on the study, told BBC News Online that the study was "proof of principle" that cloned embryonic stem cells could be reliably transformed into a variety of useful cell types.

BBC: NEWS | Health | Mouse cloned to cure Parkinson's

Andrew Husband, principle lecturer in pharmacy at the University of Sunderland and lead on the Gateshead study said allergies were a significant cause of avoidable adverse drug reactions among hospital in-patients each year.

BBC: Patients should be asked about allergies on admission