Why embryonic stem cells are obsolete

James Thomson, the stem cell pioneer from the University of Wisconsin who was the first to grow human embryonic stem cells in , is an independent codiscoverer of iPS cells along with Japanese scientists. Already these reprogrammed cells have eclipsed the value of those harvested from embryos, he has said, because of significantly lower cost, ease of production, and genetic identity with the patient.

They also bring unique application to medical and pharmaceutical research, because cells cultivated from patients with certain diseases readily become laboratory models for developing and testing therapy.

Finally, Dr. In regard to this matter, Dr. The more ethically charged decision — less understood by the public and one Congress has avoided — involves the ban on creating human embryos in the laboratory solely for research purposes.

In fact, President Clinton is the one who balked at allowing scientists to use government money for embryo creation and research on stem cells harvested from such embryos; Bush only affirmed the Clinton ban. The scientific community has been able to attract nonfederal money for such work, and it is going on all the time in stem cell institutes.

Scientists want relief from the inconvenience and expense of keeping that work and the money that supports it separate from federal dollars. Reversing the Executive Orders of 2 prior presidents on embryo creation, which even the Congress has been unwilling to tackle, is a far bigger issue than lifting the ban on the use of IVF embryos slated for destruction.

There is no realm in which more exciting progress has been made than that of science. And the two are not inherently opposed to one another. I am a Christian who believes that life begins at conception and that a human embryo is human life.

Therefore, I believe it is morally wrong to create human life to destroy it for research. Article 06 OCT Outlook 29 SEP News 12 NOV News Feature 10 NOV News 11 NOV World View 09 NOV Francis Crick Institute. Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily. Advanced search. Skip to main content Thank you for visiting nature. You have full access to this article via your institution.

Download PDF. Close banner Close. Email address Sign up. Perhaps that's one reason why, during these times of intense economic strain, a new Rasmussen poll shows that only 33 percent of U. Talking heads promote embryonic cells by alleging a "potential" for cures, but money is much better spent on iPSCs. Stem cell research that destroys human embryos is also taking money away from successful adult stem cell work, in which no embryos are destroyed.

Found in people already born, adult stem cells are the only cells with a track record of actually and successfully treating patients. Adult stem cells have grown new corneas and tracheas, restoring sight and speech. Adult stem cells placed into children have repaired damage from fatal genetic skin diseases. As CBS News reported on August 2, adult stem cells appear to have the ability to stimulate tissue repair and to suppress the immune system.

Meanwhile, embryonic stem cell researchers have produced no treatments at all. Their own technology dates back to the Stone Age in today's pace of science, whereas this year's prestigious Balzan Prize for biology recently went to iPSC pioneer Shinya Yamanaka.

So, like many failed industries, embryo researchers demand a taxpayer bailout.