Abstract: An improved method of producing differentiated progenitor cells comprising obtaining inner cell mass cells from a blastocyst and inducing differentiation of the inner cell mass cells to produce differentiated progenitor cells. The differentiated progenitor cells may be transfected such that there is an addition, deletion or alteration of a desired gene. The differentiated progenitor cells are useful in cell therapy and as a I source of cells for the production of tissues and organs for transplantation. Also provided is a method of producing a lineage-defective human embryonic stem cell.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for improved cell-based therapies for retinal degeneration and for differentiating human embryonic stem cells and human embryo-derived into retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and other retinal progenitor cells.