This sounds darned promising:

Researchers at Harvard and Advanced Cell Technology are reporting that they have been able to turn ordinary skin cells into stem cells by dousing them with the proteins made by four specific genes.

Of course, then the scientist has to go and ruin it by getting all enthusiastic:

"After a few more flight tests -- in order to assure everything is working properly -- it should be ready for commercial use," [Dr. Robert Lanza of Advanced Cell] said by e-mail.

I'll believe it when I see it, but it sure does sound hopeful!