South Korean scientists who cloned the first human embryo to use for research said they have used the same technology to create batches of embryonic stem cells from nine patients. Their study fulfils one of the basic promises of using cloning technology in stem cell research that a piece of skin could be taken from a patient and used to grow the stem cells. Researchers believe the cells could one day be trained to provide tailored tissue and organ transplants to cure juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's disease and even to repair severed spinal cords.