Stem Cells, Science And Politics
Every change in our knowledge of embryonic stem cells is spun by the anti-research camp these days, it seems, but this is important science for the future of medicine. Ronald Bailey at Reason Online dives into the politicized mess to extract a sensible summary: "New research shows that human embryonic stem cells acquire mutations and other genetic changes over time as they grow and divide ... the new Johns Hopkins research will become a part of a standard quality control regimen that identifies and isolates genetically normal stem cells that can be safely used in therapies. ... Stem cell lines, like any other drugs, will have expiration dates. This is not the death knell of embryonic stem research as some opponents might fondly hope, it's just another problem to be solved."