I should hasten to add that about all that I personally know about stem
cells is the use of their plasticity and that for many the degree of
plasticity is reflected by the stage of development.  (This is why
the very earliest embryos, the ones small enough -- a few cells only
in size -- to be implanted after laboratory fertilization -- but
which aren't used for that intended purpose so would otherwise just be
trashed -- have been the preferred cells for research.  I know also a
few basics, a few promising uses for truly terrible diseases, and that
the existing new report on stem cell research was declared unacceptable
by the administration just last week and the team responsible changed
last week to reflect only one religious take and to not reflect
scientific takes, meaning that the report will become virtually
meaningless and will be delayed for release until sometime next year.
That's close to the sum of what I know myself.
 
I don't know if the tissue harvesting the writer asked me about a month
or so before would even make sense; that knowledge would take information
I haven't check into.  I simply figured the person had good reason to ask
so respectfully sought out some info on who was using ferrets in stem
cell research so that the person could work outward from that lead.  I
wish I'd gotten an update and still hope to.
 
It is also important to recall that in pathology reports it has been
noted that there are differences in the rates of tumor types between BFFs
and domestic ferrets (said because of my mention of
http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/03/pr0370.htm ).  For instance, beyond
levels which seem to pathology experts to trace to differences in rates
of sterilization, domestic ferrets are more prone to adrenal growths and
BFFs to primary mammary malignancies.
 
Hope that helps and hope that some of the those links are useful to you!
 
[A later] P.S.
 
BTW, I am not in the least disagreeing with what Bob said.  His points
were not only valid but excellent.  I just figured that people might like
to know about a study which can impact both impregnation and tumor work
in ferrets, and about ways in which ferrets are involved in research on
stem cells for human health use ( with human use under study including
but not limited to for cystic fibrosis -- a study which closely involves
ferrets), retinal degeneration, glaucoma, parkinsons, diabetes, etc.  I
lacked time so put in some things which are very accessible to the vast
majority of FML members so that people have what they need to create a
firm enough starting point for further delving of their own (for those of
us who never stop being curious).
 
I found myself wondering if the person who asked him was the same one who
asked me about uses and I remain curious about a follow-up on that
particular score.
 
BTW, in one of those sites (I think the innovations one) is a short and
very clear write-up on a neat study in which normal mice were grown
from mouse brain tumor cells, a study which gives an interesting
perspective on the multi-factor initiation of successful  malignant
cell growth.  It will be of interest to anyone who wants to know more
on malignancies in general.
[Posted in FML issue 4494]