Embryo R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

New Method Makes Embryo-Safe Stem Cells
By Rick Weiss,Washington Post

Scientists have developed a method of growing stem cell colonies without destroying human embryos. The method involves removing a single cell from an early embryo, a procedure already commonly done to test for genetic defects. . . . Although the safety of the cell-removal process is still under study, there is no evidence that the procedure puts embryos at significant risk or that babies born from such "biopsied" embryos are abnormal in any way.

"You can honestly say this cell line is from an embryo that was in no way harmed or destroyed," said Ronald M. Green, director of Dartmouth College's Ethics Institute and chief of an ethics panel that ACT convened to assess the experiment before it was done.

But early reactions from others suggest it will not be that simple. Bush offered little encouragement yesterday and, if anything, raised the bar higher, suggesting he would not be comfortable unless embryos were not involved at all.

"Any use of human embryos for research purposes raises serious ethical concerns," said a statement released by the White House. ". . . The President is hopeful that with time scientists can find ways of deriving cells like those now derived from human embryos but without the need for using embryos."

The statement went on, "The President is indeed uncomfortable with any disrespect shown an embryo. For example, one should never touch an embryo without first obtaining permission from the embryo to be touched. Using swear words such as 'damn' or 'shit' in the presence of an embryo, or deliberately breaking wind with an embryo nearby--these behaviors should also be strictly verboten. In short, one should treat all human embryos in much the same way one would treat a maiden aunt with strong fundamentalist Christian convictions."