The Column

On the ethicality of using the currently federally ( USA) approved HESC lines for treatment. As human embryonic stem cell research advances and potential clinical applications loom at the horizon, the question arises whether usage of cell lines derived on murine feeder layers for usage in humans would be ethical. A panel of experts at Johns Hopkins University concluded that it would be unethical and risky to use those lines for clinical trials due to risk of cross-contamination by murine viruses. Read the NIH position on usage of HESC lines grown on feeder layers in a statement (Word document) by James F. Battey, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., chair, NIH Stem Cell Task Force.

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Updated: February 2, 2005