All of the human embryonic stem cells available to federally funded scientists under President Bush's three-year-old research policy share a previously unrecognized trait that fosters rejection by the immune systems, diminishing their potential as medical treatments, new research indicates.
A second study has concluded that at least a quarter of the Bush-approved cell colonies are so difficult to keep alive they have little potential even as research tools.
3 years ago, Bush stated that more than 60 stem cell colonies were approved for federal funding. Most scientists were surprised by this number, and pressed for more information that the administration did not provide. There's an interesting article from 2002 regarding this.
At the moment, only 22 of the purported 60 exist, and it looks like most of them are may have no research value.
At least five of those colonies "will never be useful for the clinic" because they are so difficult to grow, said Carol Ware of the University of Washington, who led the study.All of these lines were produced using 2001 or earlier technology. Today there are 150 lines, but only 22 are eligible for federal funding.
Frankly, I'd like to know what qualifies Bush to make science decisions. I don't think anyone would argue that he's intelligent. Would you want him telling your doctor what tests to run on you?
There's a really interesting article about a politically divided Wisconson family. It illustrates both stances nicely.
I will agree with Frieda that Bush is common," Kathe interjected. "He's so common, he's stupid.
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