SCNT is a laboratory procedure in which the nucleus of an unfertilized donor egg is replaced with the patient’s own DNA from a somatic cell – a cell from the patient’s skin, heart, or muscle – never a sperm cell. The unfertilized egg divides in a Petri dish to become a source of stem cells in vitro, which can be coaxed into becoming the type of cells needed to cure the patient.

SCNT is unique because a patient’s own DNA is used to grow stem cells that can become the source of cells needed to cure the patient’s incurable, degenerative disease or condition. SCNT is the only field of stem cell research that could eliminate immune system rejection because the cells contain the patient’s DNA.

Stem cells derived from SCNT can potentially grow into any cell type of the body (totipotent) and are capable of seemingly unlimited growth potential. These cells have the potential to replace cells that have been damaged by disease or injury.