Open AccessConcise Review: Scientific and Ethical Roadblocks to Human Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy
Author(s) -
Gruen Lori,
Grabel Laura
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
stem cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.159
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1549-4918
pISSN - 1066-5099
DOI - 10.1634/stemcells.2006-0105
Subject(s) - biology , embryonic stem cell , engineering ethics , stem cell , transplantation , environmental ethics , disease , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , pathology , medicine , gene , engineering , philosophy
Despite the identified therapeutic potential of embryonic stem cells for treating human disease and injury, a number of roadblocks, scientific and ethical, stand in the way of progress toward this goal. We identify six areas of particular interest: tumorigenicity, animal product contamination, genetic compatibility, funding, cell type for transplantation, “embryo‐friendly” derivation methods and discuss avenues for moving beyond the difficulties.