Has Robert Lanza Solved the Embryonic Stem Cell Research Dilemma?
by: Barrett Duke – Aug 25, 2006 – comments: 3 In the recent volume of the journal Nature, researcher Dr. Robert Lanza of Advanced Cell Technologies proposes a process for deriving totipotent stem cells from 8-celled human embryos that does not harm the embryo1. While we appreciate Dr. Lanza’s effort to find a way around the unacceptable destruction of human embryos to obtain embryonic stem cells, we do not consider his solution to be viable. We raise the following objections to his efforts: • The embryo could be destroyed in the process, and currently embryos are being destroyed in this process. • If one implants an embryo that has had a cell removed at its 8-cell stage, which is what Dr. Lanza proposes, the embryo is absent about 12% of its original genetic material as it divides to form a mature human being. No one knows yet the consequences of this loss. The process is the same that occurs in preimplantation diagnoses for genetic defects. In that process, a cell is removed at around
