Japan has given the green light to the world's first clinical trial using stem cells harvested from a patient's own body.
The cells used in this instance are the "induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells" - or "adult cells". Until the discovery of iPS cells several years ago, the only way to obtain stem cells was to harvest them from human embryos.
This is controversial because it requires the destruction of the embryo, a process to which religious conservatives, among others, object.
iPS cells do not come with such baggage. (Read our report on Dr Mandeep Singh's talk to MDS last year to find out more about how iPS cells work)
Japan's new trial treatment will try to create retinal cells that can be transplanted into the eyes of patients suffering from AMD, replacing the damaged part of the eye. It will start with six patients, all who suffer from AMD. Cells will be taken from their skin.
Click here to read more about this groundbreaking development.
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