Scientists at a private Chicago fertility clinic say they have isolated 12 new stem cell lines from genetically flawed human embryos — an advance that could help research into cures for devastating inherited diseases. The cell colonies came from unused embryos donated by couples who underwent prenatal genetic screening at Reproductive Genetics Institute, clinic president Yury Verlinsky said Wednesday. The embryos had gene mutations for two forms of muscular dystrophy, certain blood diseases and a cause of mental retardation — seven diseases in all. Because of stem cells’ unique properties, isolating and studying the cells from those embryos could help researchers better understand genetic diseases and develop new treatments or cures, experts said.
