"New Method Makes Embryo-Safe Stem Cells"

[GreenPartyVoter]

NEW YORK (AP) - In an innovative move, a biotech company has found a new way of making stem cells without destroying embryos, touting it as a way to defuse one of the country's fiercest political and ethical debates.

Some opponents of the research said the method still doesn't satisfy their objections and many stem cell scientists and their supporters called it inefficient and politically wrong-headed.

But a spokeswoman for President Bush, who vetoed legislation last month that would have allowed federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, called it a step in the right direction.

And Robert Lanza, an executive with Advanced Cell Technology, which created the new stem cell lines, said: "This will make it far more difficult to oppose this research."

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20060823/D8JMBJK00.html

[Igel]

1. This line of research was reported maybe a year ago.

Most people opposed to embryonic stem-cell research will have no problem with it. It leaves the embryos intact. Some preachers may misinterpret the process, but even they can eventually have things explained to them.

Saying it'll still be a problem for a lot of people may be true, only in that thousands of people is 'a lot'. Percentage-wise it'll be a small, small number. It'll probably painlessly pass *'s EO-imposed test so that stem-cell lines so created will get US Federal funding. Possibly even funding to create the stem-cell lines.

Researchers will consider it a pain in the neck. They also won't like having to pay royalties for *their* patents. But it'll provide them with money and put their claims to the test; it'll also put some outlandish and sometimes kooky claims from actors and politicians to the test, as well.

Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research is already available, it's just restricted to certain cell lines; the writer overstates the ban.

[GeorgeGist]

2. I predict...

that the fundies will soon tell you that purloined single embryonic cell could have become an embryo itself if given a chance. And Bush will have to agree.

[johnnie]

3. Funny, what will the fundies come up with next to whine about?

Of course they still say this is bad, but it weakens their stand.