Post by Shadow on Sept 6, 2005 16:17:46 GMT -5
Guardian
Tim Radford, science editor
Monday September 5, 2005
The Guardian
A leading scientist who pushed for the controversial research into embryo stem cells will warn today that the challenges are so huge that any cures for disease lie a long way in the future.
Lord Winston, who pioneered fertility research in the UK, is to tell the British Association for the Advancement of Science, meeting in Dublin, that during the political campaign to push through legislation in 2001, some parliamentarians were led to believe that clinical treatments were "just around the corner". Some of the lobbying came from patients' groups, but it was stimulated by scientific observations.
"When disappointment sets in, as may be possible, we can expect a massive backlash by the 'right to life' groups, who are always ready to pounce when they perceive a chink in our arguments," he will say. He singles out embryo stem cells as a case study in scientific arrogance and the dangers of "spinning" a good story.
Embryo stem cells are seen as medicine's version of the magic tablecloth. In 40 weeks these microscopic agents turn a single fertilised egg into a complete human being of 100 trillion cells of nearly 300 varieties. They could be used for "personalised" medicine - to grow fresh heart tissue, repair the ravages of neurodegenerative diseases, or treat diabetes.
Britain is the first country in the west to authorise by law the use of embryos left over from fertility treatment for such research. Leading US scientists have come to the UK to join what Lord Winston calls "one of the most exciting areas in biology". But, he says, embryonic stem cells may not be useful for a long time.
Tim Radford, science editor
Monday September 5, 2005
The Guardian
A leading scientist who pushed for the controversial research into embryo stem cells will warn today that the challenges are so huge that any cures for disease lie a long way in the future.
Lord Winston, who pioneered fertility research in the UK, is to tell the British Association for the Advancement of Science, meeting in Dublin, that during the political campaign to push through legislation in 2001, some parliamentarians were led to believe that clinical treatments were "just around the corner". Some of the lobbying came from patients' groups, but it was stimulated by scientific observations.
"When disappointment sets in, as may be possible, we can expect a massive backlash by the 'right to life' groups, who are always ready to pounce when they perceive a chink in our arguments," he will say. He singles out embryo stem cells as a case study in scientific arrogance and the dangers of "spinning" a good story.
Embryo stem cells are seen as medicine's version of the magic tablecloth. In 40 weeks these microscopic agents turn a single fertilised egg into a complete human being of 100 trillion cells of nearly 300 varieties. They could be used for "personalised" medicine - to grow fresh heart tissue, repair the ravages of neurodegenerative diseases, or treat diabetes.
Britain is the first country in the west to authorise by law the use of embryos left over from fertility treatment for such research. Leading US scientists have come to the UK to join what Lord Winston calls "one of the most exciting areas in biology". But, he says, embryonic stem cells may not be useful for a long time.