Editorial
Stem cell research must not be halted

The fact that there may be unexpected difficulties in the process of using embryonic stem cells for cloning or medical treatment should not be used by opponents of this critically important scientific research.

If anything, these difficulties underscore the importance of continued research rather than argue against it.

The problem, reported by University of Hawai'i scientist Ryuzo Yanagimachi and Rudolf Jaenisch of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, is this: Mice cloned from embryonic stem cells may appear to be identical, but actually have subtle genetic abnormalities that differentiate one from another.

The genes themselves are the same, but slight differences in the cloned animals cause the genes to operate somewhat differently from one animal to another.

This raises obvious concerns about the use of stem cells for the treatment of human disease.

Opponents of stem cell research, who are primarily concerned because the cells are harvested from human embryos, are bound to cite these latest findings. But it would be a faulty argument.

In fact, these subtle genetic differences may turn out to be good news if they make some cells particularly useful in the treatment of particular diseases.

The research must continue.