While cloning stem cells is a technicalbreakthrough, there's already a method of deriving embryonic-like stem cells that doesn't require the use of embryos at all: induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells, said Dr. George Daley, who is director of the Stem Cell Transplantation Program at Children's Hospital Boston and an international expert in stem cells.
For those of you who are having a hard time comprehending all the breakthrough science, here is the audio Cliff's Notes version on the technical achievements that have been honored this year, courtesy of our science reporters.