Dedifferentiation of body cells to "create" stem cells

MSNBC reported on "reprogramming" of body cells to produce stem cells from a patient's own body to treat disease. Both MSNBC and the commenters at Betterhumans.com ( their motto is "Create the future," but the theme and attitude is more anarchic than creative) are surprised that Dr. Leon Kass would be excited about the research.

No big surprise: using the patient's own cells and body processes to heal is consistent with Dr. Kass' history. No human life would be created or killed, and the essential nature of the human wouldn't be changed.

I'm surprised that there has been so little talk about this idea in the press. To me, it takes much less imagination to believe that we can dedifferentiate cells to their precursor or progenitor cells than to believe it will ever be economically or logistically feasible to clone every patient to provide all the possible needed stem cells.

Even more likely to me is the probability that all the research will eventually result in the development of stimulating factors that can be used in all patients to recruit and stimulate our own stem cells to heal the body in situ.

Of course, Dr. Kass was discussing healing and regeneration. There's no mention yet of enhancement with these dedifferentiated cells. But, they're in the lab, anyway. Since they're changing one process, why not more. How long before someone tries to tweak the patient's natural abilities?