Scientists have succeeded in creating lines of embryonic stem cells without destroying a single embryo. This development may make it possible to remove the ethical barriers that have limited federal funding for controversial research
Recently, experiments were done with two different methods in mice and the researchers are optimistic that the process can be replicated in human cells as well. The new methods were published in the online version of the journal Nature.
Scientists and ethicists say the approach offers a potential compromise with social conservatives who see embryonic stem cell research as an unethical alternative that would require the massive destruction of life to produce medical treatments.
Dr. William Holbot, a member of the President's Council on Bioethics said that he was able to convince some of the leading religious philosophers that at least one of the methods sounded moral. However, the debate over the question of when life begins may cause further ethical concerns.
Neither method addresses the ethical issues, said Dr. George Delay, a professor of biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology at Harvard Medical School. "It is not clear if they will actually respond to the visitors' demands. President Bush's policy to ban embryonic stem cell research stemmed from his views demanding the protection of human embryos.
