Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the production and derivation of pluripotent stem cells from embryos or embryo-derived cells and therapeutic uses therefor. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for producing functional stem cells or stem cell-like cells comprising the steps of culturing an embryo or embryo-derived cells in the presence of a demethylation agent and isolating functional pluripotent cells.

Abstract: A method for reprogramming differentiated or partially differentiated cells to a less differentiated or dedifferentiated state, which method includes providing a karyoplast of a differentiated or partially differentiated cell; and a source of multinucleate, aneuploid, euploid or polyploid multipotent or pluripotent cells, or morula or early embryos, or derivatives thereof; and placing the karyoplast in intimate contact with the multipotent or pluripotent cells, or morula or early embryos or derivatives thereof under conditions sufficient to permit at least partial reprogramming of the cells.