Overview

The origin of every cell in the adult body may be traced back to a cluster of cells sitting on the inside surface of a tiny cell ball that, within a week of fertilisation, fills the egg capsule. The potential of these pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) to give rise to any adult cell type means that they are extraordinarily valuable to the developed world. As the ratio of economically effective to economically ineffective citizens plummets with their aging populations, products derived from such cells hold out the hope, not only of a solution to chronic, degenerative disease, but to the prevention of socio-economic collapse. They do not, however, come cheap.

PSCs may be isolated from the cell balls using standard techniques, and subsequently grown in cultures for purposes of research or, very soon, treatment. The biological term for the cell ball is “blastocyst”, but it has acquired a moniker generally applied to a later-stage of development: “embryo”. The e-word has impeded stem cell research for many years. In the US, it lead to funding anomalies that persist despite the President’s efforts. In Europe, differences of practice between states about the permissibility of research using blastocyst-derived cells (misleadingly dubbed “embryo research” by the media) and patentability have presented a confused and incoherent picture to the world. In any event, embryos require eggs and therefore women donors, leading to a shortage of supply.

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