US regulators have approved the first use of embryonic stem cells in humans.

Timeline

1908 Alexander Maximov postulates “stem cell” idea

1960s Embryonic stem cells identified

1981 Embryonic stem cells derived from mice

1998 Technique developed to isolate and grow human embryonic stem cells

2001 US limits embryonic stem cell research funding

2009 Geron wins first regulatory approval for testing in humans

The move raises the prospect of a groundbreaking approach to medical treatment that had been blocked since 2001 by George W. Bush as president. Just two days after the inauguration of President Barack Obama, who opposed his predecessor’s ban on federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research, the Food & Drug Administration authorised Geron, a US biotech company, to begin clinical trials for patients with severe spinal cord injuries.