Op-Ed: Embryology research is controversial…

April 1, 2008

Some critics imply that research on adult stem cells (for instance from bone marrow) could substitute for all the use of embryonic stem cells. My research colleagues strongly deny this, but see the possibility that knowledge from stem-cell research might increase the potential for the therapeutic use of adult stem cells. Some point to the recent development of methods to transform ordinary adult cells into cells with the characteristics of embryonic stem cells. But these techniques involve viral infection and genetic modification, which makes many nervous about the utility of such cells. However, research on embryonic stem cells will undoubtedly help us to do more with adult cells. (Times Online)