Altered Nuclear Transfer (ANT) is a proposed alternative method for procuring the equivalent of human embryonic stem cells, but without destroying, damaging, or even using human embryos in the process. ANT has not yet been attempted with human cells and is still undergoing careful scrutiny and ethical evaluation. It has been shown to work in mice in that researchers, using the method were able to create in the laboratory what they believed to be a biologically non-embryonic mouse artifact, and procure usable pluripotent stem cells from it.

In ANT, a normal adult body cell is genetically modified. In its nucleus, genes essential for normal embryo formation are drastically altered. This cell is then implanted in an egg with its nucleus removed-the same technical procedure used in cloning. Theoretically, however, the resultant product of the procedure would not be an embryo, but a disordered biological artifact, capable of yielding stem cells, but otherwise more akin to a tumor. 

For more information:
www.alterednucleartransfer.com