The other stem cells
Does this mean that embryonic stem cells should be abandoned? Absolutely not. They are powerful models for understanding how basic stem cells function. And it's entirely too early to give up on any form of stem cell that might have therapeutic value in the long run. But the meteoric ascent of adult cells as viable options for therapy, and the possibility of more spare embryos for research, together provide breathing room for a much-needed public debate. There remain many unresolved social, ethical, and legal issues regarding the creation of embryos and clones for research. Not the least of these are the potential for exploitation of young women to get fresh eggs for this work and the lack of boundaries for research on embryos when it's conducted privately.
A stem-cell biologist recently quipped to me that our children may live forever because of stem-cell work, but we are certain to die. We don't have forever for this crucial debate.
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