Embryonic stem cells without cloning

may be closer than imagined.

In recent months, a number of researchers have begun to assemble intriguing evidence that it is possible to generate embryonic stem cells without having to create or destroy new human embryos.

The research is still young and largely unpublished, and in some cases it is limited to animal cells.

The article goes on to describe several promising techniques. Like any emerging area of science there are lots of possibilities and only time will tell what will work and what won't. Obviating the moral objections to using cloning and thereby creating an at least theoretically viable embryo, would be a big step forward. Personally, I think we should pursue all promising avenues and see what works best