Abstract

The therapeutic potential for human embryonic stem cells (hESC) drives intense public and scientific interest. However, the classical approach for derivation of hESC entails the destruction of human embryos. Controversial ethical issues and correspondingly restrictive federal policies in many countries have prompted the development of alternative approaches for the isolation of hESC. Here, several different strategies are discussed with a focus on the harvesting of live hESC from dead embryos.

Keywords: Arrested human embryos, ES cell derivation, alternative approaches, human embryonic stem cells, hESC