Since its discovery in 1981, stem cell research has been a highly charged issue mainly for one reason: the use of embryonic cells. New research may calm the storm, bringing the sun with it.

We all have stem cells. A stem cell has the ability the turn into more than one type of cell; think of them as raw material for organs and tissues. Stem cells from embryos are the most adaptive - able to turn into any type of cell - and thus can more readily become healthy brain, heart, skin, etc. The hope in medicine is to induce growth of new, healthy cells to replace damaged ones, to cure or improve debilitating and fatal conditions such as spinal cord injuries, heart and lung diseases, diabetes, and Alzheimer's.

Stem cell potential seems almost limitless. That adult (called "somatic") cells are also used for this research is often ignored by opponents, who tend to oppose any stem cell work, regardless of cell type or limitation. Still, that cells from embryos are used at all is understandably disturbing. So the words "stem cell research" quickly became a hot button of inflamed passion for both sides.

Good news: The debate could become moot. Chinese scientists claim to have found a way to use adult cells for the whole shebang, potentially obviating need for embryonic cells.

A paper published this month in the journal Science reports development of an "easy and safe" way to reprogram adult stem cells, rekindling hope for growing tissue and organs without harvesting cells from embryos. The biologists at Peking University did it chemically, rather than by previous method of gene insertion.

In short, for more than a year the researchers experimented with combinations of molecules which could induce a pluripotent state in adult cells. Pluripotent means the flexibility to become any other type of cell, so obviously those are the most valuable.

So far, research and experimental treatments with pluripotent cells have focused on embryonic cells as the sole pluripotent source material, such as the July 3 announcement by Japanese researchers at Yokohama City University that they successfully grew human liver tissue from embryonic cells - a potential breakthrough for a complex organ. If scientists can reproduce the Chinese method, chemically changing normal adult stem cells into pluripotent ones, hope is on the horizon.

Time will tell. The Chinese experiments used mouse stem cells, so the next step is to reproduce results with human cells. It's a chance to start over, at the cell level.

"The best scientist is open to experience and begins with romance - the idea that anything is possible." - Ray Bradbury

Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Contact her at sholeh@cdapress.com.