Embryonic Stem-Cell Issue Still Dogs GOP

Last week's breakthrough in stem-cell research—the creation of cells from skin rather than embryos—is a tremendous scientific advance, writes Michael Kinsley in Time magazine. But the new science doesn't let hypocritical GOP politicians dodge the controversy over embryonic stem cells: They will still be risking human lives with inconsistent objections, he writes.

Those who cry foul over the use of human blastocysts for stem-cell research are ignoring the fact that the in-vitro fertilization clinics they often support would discard those same embryos, explains Kinsley, a Parkinson's sufferer. Even the scientists behind the latest advancement argue that embryonic stem-cell research must still continue if researchers are to develop cures for Kinsley and thousands of fellow patients. (More stem cell research stories.)