Nobel Prize for ethical stem cell research

Very important.

Basically, their work paved the way to making the equivalent of embryonic stem cells without the ethical questions the embryonic cells pose.

"Their findings have revolutionized our understanding of how
cells and organisms develop," the Nobel committee at Stockholm's Karolinska
Institute said in announcing the 8 million kronor ($1.2 million) award. It was
the first of this year's Nobel Prizes, with five more awards to be announced by
next Monday.

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More than 40 years after Gurdon's discovery, in 2006,
Yamanaka, 50, showed that a surprisingly simple recipe could turn mature cells
back into primitive cells, which in turn could be prodded into different kinds
of mature cells.

Basically, the primitive cells were the equivalent of
embryonic stem cells, which had been embroiled in controversy because to get
human embryonic cells, human embryos had to be destroyed. Yamanaka's method
provided a way to get such primitive cells without destroying embryos.

"The discoveries of Gurdon and Yamanaka have shown that
specialized cells can turn back the developmental clock under certain
circumstances," the committee said. "These discoveries have also provided new
tools for scientists around the world and led to remarkable progress in many
areas of medicine."