No Clones

A leading clone pioneer says human cloning is far, far away. Link. Excerpt:

South Korean cloning pioneer Hwang Woo-Suk said the cloning of human beings would remain an impossible and dangerous fantasy for decades to come.

"Human cloning is not only ethically outrageous and medically dangerous, but technically impossible as well," said Hwang, who last year created the world's first cloned human embryonic stem cells.

"Cloned human beings are merely a science fiction fantasy. I can assure you that on this globe, you'll never bump into a cloned human being at least within 100 years," he said Tuesday

Related: Hwang approves of using embryonic stem cells in his work, but a leading expert in morally-licit umbilical cord blood stem cells says the embryonic cells have problems. Excerpt:

Han Hoon, a leading expert in umbilical cord blood stem cells, raised questions about Hwang's claim that embryo stem cells were free of rejections.

"Rejections could occur because of the eggs used in the cloning," he said.

Researchers also have to find a way of coaxing these cells into specific cell types so that they can then be transplanted into the body as replacement for tissues that are damaged or destroyed.

Embryonic stem cells, which develop in the first six days after an egg is fertilised, are "pluripotent" -- they can develop into any of the body's cell types. Han Hoon said these cells might also develop into cancer cells.

"Embryonic stem cells are like a rugby ball. You never know which way they will bounce," Han told AFP.

Han placed more hope in stem cells obtained from umbilical cord blood, which are at a slightly more advanced stage of development, although still able to develop into specialized body cells and help regenerate damaged organs.

Han, 51, who extracted stem cells from cord blood for the first time in 2003, said he had used them in the treatment of more than 200 patients suffering from 17 different diseases.