Friday, February 13, 2004
Korean and US researchers clone human embryo
The Brave New World edges closer as South Korean and US researchers say they have cloned a human embryo and extracted sought-after embryonic stem cells. The experiment, the first published report of cloned human stem cells, means so-called therapeutic cloning is no longer a theory.
Supporters of medical cloning say it can transform medicine, offering tailored and highly effective treatments for diseases ranging from Parkinson's to diabetes. It could eventually lead to grow-your-own organ transplants.
But critics say it involves destroying a human embryo, however tiny, and is thus unethical. US President George W. Bush and supporters in Congress are seeking to outlaw the technology in the United States and worldwide.
Scientists have cloned sheep, cattle, mice and other species but have had trouble cloning a human being.
What has not been quite so widely reported is that attempts at cloning have produced a close to 99% rate of failure, and all clones have developed severe medical problems and died prematurely.
The Brave New World edges closer as South Korean and US researchers say they have cloned a human embryo and extracted sought-after embryonic stem cells. The experiment, the first published report of cloned human stem cells, means so-called therapeutic cloning is no longer a theory.
Supporters of medical cloning say it can transform medicine, offering tailored and highly effective treatments for diseases ranging from Parkinson's to diabetes. It could eventually lead to grow-your-own organ transplants.
But critics say it involves destroying a human embryo, however tiny, and is thus unethical. US President George W. Bush and supporters in Congress are seeking to outlaw the technology in the United States and worldwide.
Scientists have cloned sheep, cattle, mice and other species but have had trouble cloning a human being.
What has not been quite so widely reported is that attempts at cloning have produced a close to 99% rate of failure, and all clones have developed severe medical problems and died prematurely.
