So, published in today's issue of Nature there is a new development in stem cell research that may be of some significant importance politically. Researchers have managed to extract single cells from embryos that are roughly 10 cells in size, and have used those cells to successfully produce embryonic stem cells. The key of course is that this procedure does not kill the embryo. LA Times Summary.

 

This technique is similar to one that has been applied several thousand times in fertility clinics to perform genetic testing on embryos before they're implanted/born. Thus far, the children born from those embryos have shown no real significant problems (although it's always possible some could develop later in life).

 

This may give Mr. Bush a nice, easy way out of the idiotic place in which he's put the country, as he can now claim that the embryos are not being destroyed. It may also fail to settle every ethical question however, as those single cells may have the ability to grow into a full embryo/child if they were allowed to grow on their own (think about identical twins, same idea), and it's also possible that the procedure could reduce the chances of implantation.

 

But if Mr. Bush were looking for a way out of the mess he's created in this country's research departments, this technique could provide one. Even if all he permitted was for the cells to be extracted from stored/frozen embryos, it would be enough, as it would give viable new lines without any killing...until the embryos are thrown away, of course.

Update: the White House still says it isn't enough.

 

But Emily Lawrimore, a White House spokeswoman, suggested that the new procedure would not satisfy the objections of Mr. Bush, who vetoed legislation in July that would have expanded federally financed embryonic stem cell research. Though Ms. Lawrimore called it encouraging that scientists were moving away from destroying embryos, she said: “Any use of human embryos for research purposes raises serious ethical questions. This technique does not resolve those concerns.”