Why do scientists want to clone embryos?
The idea is that in future this could solve the problem of transplant tissue rejection. A patient with, say, Parkinson’s disease, could have embryos cloned from his own cells. Stem cells taken from these embryos could then be used to provide replacement brain tissue which, implanted back into the patient, would not be rejected. More immediately, scientists want to carry out cloning experiments to learn more about the mechanisms of cell development. It is hoped this might lead to a way of “rewinding” adult stem cells to make them pluripotent again. Then there would be no further need to obtain stem cells from embryos. Will all our lives change as a result of today’s decision? One day every individual might have a store of personal stem cells available to provide him or her with replacement tissue if needed. By the middle of this century, organ donor shortages and tissue rejection might be things of the past. What have other countries done about stem cell research? Several countries are
