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" Patients who suffer liver failure could benefit from a new stem cell treatment instead of having a full liver transplant, scientists say.  Researchers at Edinburgh University claim to have discovered stem cells in the liver that could be used to repair liver damage, lessening the need for organ replacement surgery as a cure for acute or chronic liver failure.  The development could help save thousands of lives, with the UK experiencing a severe shortage of donor livers suitable for transplant.  It is estimated that around 20 per cent of patients waiting for a replacement liver will die before a suitable organ is found.  Dr James Ross, who led the stem cell research said: &amp;quot;Potentially, cell replacement therapies could provide alternative treatments that would avoid difficulties associated with obtaining sufficient donor organ transplantation.  &amp;quot;We have now identified primitive cells with the potential to mature into different cell types within and out with the liver. It is possible that these cells lie dormant in the adult liver and may be the source of repair cells that are activated by severe liver injury.&amp;quot; \u00A9 Adfero Ltd "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/news/a13921/stem-cells-could-treat-liver-failure/>