Scientists at Advanced Cell Technology in Worcester, MA, have found a technique that can be used to remove embryonic stem cells without damaging the embryos. The news was immediately heralded as a potential way to circumnavigate President Bush's limitations on stem cell research, allowing federal funds to flow again into research that may hold the key to significant therapeutic advances.
"The most basic objection to embryonic stem cell research is the fact that embryos are deprived of any further potential to develop into a complete human being," said Robert Lanza, medical director at ACT, and senior author of the study. "We have shown in a mouse model that you can generate embryonic stem cells using a method that does not interfere with the developmental potential of the embryo. It is important to note that this work was performed in the mouse and needs to be extended to the human species. It would be tragic not to pursue all options and methods available to us to get this technology to the bedside as soon as possible."
- read this article from The Guardian for more