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Ethical Embryonic Stem Cell Research Proposed

Reports of "ethical" embryonic stem cells first caught my attention several weeks ago at the Evangelical Outpost. Here is one such method that claims to produce stem cells that are quasi-embryonic without destroying a life:

British scientists say they have found a way to trick nature into creating "ethical embryos" that could be used for human stem cell research without raising moral or religious objections because their peculiar genetics prevents them from growing into full-fledged human beings.

The human embryos created by a team from the University of Wales College of Medicine in Cardiff consist of clumps of human cells tricked into dividing into embryos, when in fact, they weren't fertilized by sperm. The embryos have two sets of female chromosomes but lack the male chromosomes that would allow them to develop into babies.

Akin to activated cells that are neither fully human nor un-human, alive but not in a traditional sense, the scientists say they aren't exactly sure what to call their tiny creations.

[more]

At first glance, this appears to be a modified version of cloning in which embryos, although not viable or able to fully develop, are created. Michael Rudnicki, scientific director designate of Canada's Stem Cell Network and an expert in muscle-derived adult stem cells at the Ottawa Health Research Institute, reacted cautiously to the experiment and said it's unlikely that this research would have been permitted under Canadian law, which prohibits the creation of embryos for research, but permits experiments using leftover or donated embryos.

"I don't see that as being a trite answer to the legislative restrictions in place," said Mr. Rudnicki. "Technically, they were still creating an embryo for research."

Posted by tim at December 19, 2004 1:05 AM

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