http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3554474.stm
Scotsman.com: Go-Ahead for Researchers to Clone Human Embryos
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3326684
New Scientist Special Report: Cloning and Stem Cells
http://www.newscientist.com/hottopics/cloning/
New York Times: Britain Grants License to Make Human Embryos for Stem Cells
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/12/science/12clone.html
NPR: Stem Cell Obstacle Solved, But to Limited Effect
http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=3840067
Financial Times.com: Bright Hope at Embryonic Stage
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/e0d867c2-ebfb-11d8-82f7-00000e2511c8.html

Britain blows ahead of the scientific pack this week by allowing its scientists to clone and research embryos and the stem cells which are derived from them. The tiny pinhead sized cluster of cells comprising an embryo is emerging as a giant ethical, religious, and scientific concern and may even be the deciding factor in a presidential race across the Atlantic. Yet, while U.S. scientists remain bogged down by restrictions pertaining to stem cell research, Bratain follows the lead of a 2003 vote by the European Parliament by supporting this research. This In the News highlights several news pieces from this past week. [JPM]