Stem cell research received a major boost, when scientists announced a major through. The researchers in Massacheusetts led by Robert Lanza, chief scientific officer at Advanced Cell Technology in Worcester, Mass announced that they have created colonies of human embryonic stem cells without harming the embryos, from which they were derived! The new technique involves removal of a single cell from a newly formed eight-cell embryo and coaxing that cell to divide repeatedly, until it forms a self-replenishing colony of embryonic stem cells.
While the researchers are excited over the new development, as they expect the breakthrough to receive funding from the U.S government, critics are rising question on the embryos’ safety. This can be confirmed only when embryos are implanted again in women’s womb and the resulting babies are found healthy.
But, such an experiment would be unethical and there is no other way to prove that the embryos are not harmed. Opponents of stem cell research were up against using embryos for research, finding it unethical as the embryos are eventually destroyed. This research, if accepted, could speed the development of stem cell-based treatments for a variety of diseases.
Via:sun-sentinel
