EMBRYONIC stem cells injected into the brain corrected the symptoms of Parkinson's disease in rats by transforming into neurons that made dopamine, a key brain chemical. In a study appearing today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers at Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, showed in tests that in rats whose brains had been chemically damaged, embryonic stem would spontaneously convert to correct the Parkinson's symptoms. Some experts said the study was significant because it showed embryonic stem cells may be used to treat brain disorders, but they cautioned that the cells also possibly could cause tumours. Dr Ole Isacson, senior author of the study, said that if further experiments were successful, there could be human trials of the technique in about five years. Federally funded research on human embryonic stem cells is limited because producing such cells requires the death of human embryos. President George W Bush last northern summer approved some such research, but limited it to cell colonies that already exist - about 60 cell lines. Many researchers believe that embryonic stem cells hold the promise of creating new organs or cells to replace or renew ailing hearts, livers...There you go mr president! http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,3556967%255E40...