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Stem-cell research

Nature volume 422, pages 928–929 (2003)Cite this article

Complex political, ethical and legal issues surround research on human embryonic stem cells. Diane Gershon explores the field's long-term career prospects.

Human embryonic stem (ES) cells can give rise to specialized cell types of any kind, such as neurons or insulin-producing β cells. As such, many claims have been made about the potential benefits of research involving human ES cells and their use to treat conditions such as Parkinson's disease, spinal-cord injury and diabetes. In reality, researchers are only just beginning to scratch the surface. But legal, political and ethical questions surround work on stem cells derived from human embryos, leaving researchers with an uncertain future.

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  1. Diane Gershon is Assistant Editor, New Technology, for Nature Medicine.

    • Diane Gershon
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  1. Diane Gershon
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Gershon, D. Stem-cell research. Nature 422, 928–929 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/nj6934-928a

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