STEM CELLS: ‘Breakthrough of the Year,’ Science Says
Embryonic stem cell research has been named the "Breakthrough of the Year" by the journal Science. While some members of Congress and those who oppose abortion "have denounced the use of embryonic stem cells," Science editors write that learning "how to cause stem cells to grow into selected types of cells, tissues and organs 'raises hopes of dazzling medical applications.'" In an editorial about stem cells, Editor Floyd Bloom contends, "Although much remains to be done to convert today's results into tomorrow's treatments and tools, the likelihood of success seems high." Science editors named the "huge advances in genomics" as a runner-up breakthrough (AP/Baltimore Sun, 12/17).
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