Access

Perspective

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology 6, 663–667 (1 August 2005) | doi:10.1038/nrm1698

Ethical sourcing of human embryonic stem cells |[mdash]| rational solutions?

Martin Evans

At the heart of the extensive ethical and regulatory debates that have surrounded human embryonic stem cells is the human pre-implantation embryo. Advances in the understanding of cellular reprogramming, both by cell nuclear replacement and by potential new protocols, should lead to methods that circumvent the use of a practicably viable embryo.