But... babies... all life is sacred... but... *head explodes*

Those wacky scientists are at it again. Working with stem cells even when Dear Leader don't like it.... you goofballs.

Researchers Fuse Skin & Stem Cells

WASHINGTON - Harvard scientists announced they've discovered a way to fuse adult skin cells with embryonic stem cells, a promising and dramatic breakthrough that could lead to the creation of useful stem cells without first having to create and destroy human embryos.

--snip--

The scientists said they were able to show in their early research that the fused cell "was reprogrammed to its embryonic state."

"If future experiments indicate that this reprogrammed state is retained after removing the embryonic stem cell DNA — currently a formidable technical hurdle — the hybrid cells could theoretically be used to produce embryonic stem cells lines that are tailored to individual patients without the need to create and destroy human embryos," said a summary of the research reported on the Science site.

That could lead to creation of stem cells without having to use human eggs or make new human embryos in the process, thereby sidestepping much of the controversy over stem cell research.

There. NO NEED FOR HUMAN EMBRYOS. Now, if we let these guys do their research, and they're actually able to do it without the little congregated mass of cells that you wingnuts have somehow decided is a living, breathing human being with a social security number and a Tivo, if we are able to do this, will you all kindly shut the fuck up and let this research go on? It's only the most promising advance in health care that we've had in ages... gee, we might figure out how to cure cancer...

The Harvard researchers used laboratory grown human embryonic stem cells — such as the ones that President Bush has already approved for use by federally funded researchers — to essentially convert a skin cell into an embryonic stem cell itself.

(Aside: Wow, that's incredible.)

There. See, you collective heads of knuckle? It's Bush-Approved. So do us all a favor; leave your bloody posters at home, and quit handing out your revolting literature. If you'd let these guys get some WORK done, we could have some actual advances in research, and you won't have to worry about your fictional preshus bebbuhs.

Stop being afraid of science.

This is a GOOD THING. Trust me.

And while I'm ranting, stop with the "Intelligent Design" crap, too. You're embarassing the rest of us.

(Tinky-Winky... Dipsy... Cross-Post... Po...)