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Twenty-five years ago, scientists first isolated human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).[1] Shortly after this development, the use of these stem cells in medical research had become a major public policy controversy in the United States. Proponents hailed human embryonic stem cell research (hESCR) as a necessary and morally unproblematic breakthrough that would usher in a new era of miracle cures. Opponents objected that the destruction of human life essential to hESCR made the practice unacceptable, and that there were ethically, and practically, superior alternatives.
Today, the topic of human embryonic stem cell research has all but vanished from the headlines and public discourse. But 25 years ago, that was not the case. It is difficult to imagine today, but in those few years before 9/11, hESCR was a major topic of debate nationwide—politically, scientifically, and in the media.
In the intervening years, it is the opponents of hESCR, rather than its proponents, who have been vindicated.
Human embryonic stem cells are undifferentiated cells that develop at the earliest stages of embryonic development. These stem cells are called “pluripotent” because, as the embryo develops and grows, they begin to differentiate and form every tissue and organ in the human body. Because of this ability, this “pluripotency,” scientists speculated that they had enormous potential to repair and regenerate damaged tissues and organs.
Beginning in December of 1998 and over the next several years, the controversy over human embryonic stem cell research picked up steam. Congress held numerous hearings on the topic. The peer-reviewed journal Science featured stem cell research on the cover of its February 25, 2000 issue, and it was the subject of cover stories in National Geographic, Time, and Newsweek. In August of 2001, President George W. Bush delivered his first televised address to the American people. The subject? Human embryonic stem cell research.[2]
Continued below.
Today, the topic of human embryonic stem cell research has all but vanished from the headlines and public discourse. But 25 years ago, that was not the case. It is difficult to imagine today, but in those few years before 9/11, hESCR was a major topic of debate nationwide—politically, scientifically, and in the media.
In the intervening years, it is the opponents of hESCR, rather than its proponents, who have been vindicated.
Human embryonic stem cells are undifferentiated cells that develop at the earliest stages of embryonic development. These stem cells are called “pluripotent” because, as the embryo develops and grows, they begin to differentiate and form every tissue and organ in the human body. Because of this ability, this “pluripotency,” scientists speculated that they had enormous potential to repair and regenerate damaged tissues and organs.
Beginning in December of 1998 and over the next several years, the controversy over human embryonic stem cell research picked up steam. Congress held numerous hearings on the topic. The peer-reviewed journal Science featured stem cell research on the cover of its February 25, 2000 issue, and it was the subject of cover stories in National Geographic, Time, and Newsweek. In August of 2001, President George W. Bush delivered his first televised address to the American people. The subject? Human embryonic stem cell research.[2]
Continued below.
25 Years Later, Embryonic Stem Cell Research Has Been a Complete Failure - LifeNews.com
Twenty-five years ago, scientists first isolated human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).[1] Shortly after this development, the use of these stem cells in medical research had become a major public policy controversy in the United States. Proponents hailed human embryonic stem cell research (hESCR)...
www.lifenews.com
