Human ES cells and a blastocyst from one embryo: exciting science but conflicting ethics?
In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Chung et al. (2008) remove a single blastomere to generate a human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line without prejudicing the development of the biopsied embryo. Their method stimulates new ideas about hESC formation, but ethicopolitical concerns remain.
Johnson
Martin H
MH
Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, Anatomy School, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK. mhj21@cam.ac.uk
D000818:Animals; D026688:Bioethical Issues; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods; D002460:Cell Line; D002469:Cell Separation; D033041:Embryo Research / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice