New Stem Cells Produced Without Destroying Embryo

Stem-cell research breakthrough
A team of cell biologists at Advanced Cell Technology labratories have developed a way to create viable embryonic stem cells, without destroying the embryo, itself, in the process. ACT, V.P., Dr Robert Lanza believes that with the possibility of creating stem cells without harming the original embryo, there is no longer any rational or ethical reason to oppose stem cell reasearch and application.

Biologists have developed a technique for establishing colonies of human embryonic stem cells from an early human embryo without destroying it. This method, if confirmed in other laboratories, would seem to remove the principal objection to the research. It could also redirect and intensify the emotional political debate over current limits on federal financing for research on human embryonic stem cells, which give rise to the cells and tissues of the body and which scientists and patient advocate groups see as a potential source for treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes.
More...

It would appear that if confirmed as reliable, this new method of developing new stem cell "lines", would open the way for all parties on both sides of the debate to come together in advancing new gene therapies for diseases such as Parkinson's, ALS and even Ashma. I hope it turns out to be so. Only time will tell.

What do you think? Would this new method, if verified, remove any philosphical or ethical arguments to embryonic stem cell research, or are there other more fundemental considerations, both pro and con that are still not being addressed?

As always, your opinions and responses are requested.

.

I feel there will still be some hardliners who will argue on the side of ethics. For instance, an embryo has rights just like a child, and should not be forced against there choosing to donate cells for medical purposes without their consent. The Lacy Peterson trial proved this thought process, by prosecuting for 2 murder charges, one for Lacy, and one for her un-born child. (Fry Scott Peterson!)

Functionally, with this new discovery, the process should now only have the same signifgance as a patient getting a mouth swab cell culture, or giving blood.

I almost willing to bet it will unravel just like this scenario;

1. Now you need a "parent, or egg-donor's permission to use their harvested eggs in this fashion. (incidentally anyone donating eggs has essentially acknowledged this and given permission, by the act of donating)

2. Those pro-lifers will now press to have child advocates act on be-half of the of the embryo, since it does not yet have a voice to speak on its own behalf yet, or in its interests.

Pro-choice and Pro-life debate rages on...

And so does the beuacracy...

-ADHD