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Stem Cell Issue Generating More Politics Than Policy, Says Duke Scientist

"All the breathless hand-wringing associated with election-year politics has obscured the distinction between adult and embryonic stem cell research in the public's view," says Hunt WilliardThursday, October 7, 2004

A Duke University scientist says partisan squabbling over embryonic stem cell research has obscured an important and related scientific issue: might adult stem cells be just as promising, just as effective, as embryonic stem cells?

"While the potential ability of certain adult stem cells to provide reprogrammed cell populations suitable for therapy is under debate among scientists, that's what research is designed to address," said Huntington F. Willard, director of Duke University's Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy.

"Research on this question shouldn't be the lightning rod that similar research on embryonic stem cells is. But all the breathless hand-wringing associated with election-year politics has obscured the distinction between adult and embryonic stem cell research in the public's view."

Despite being exasperated by the political salvoes being fired by both the Democrats and the Republicans on embryonic stem cell research, Willard said he is glad to see science at the forefront of public discourse.

"Scientists often complain that the media misconstrues their work and that basic research never gets the publicity that, say, new drugs receive. Well, here's an opportunity for stem cell researchers -- and really, all biologists and geneticists -- to stand up and make their case. They have the public's attention, at least for the next few weeks."

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