New Method Makes Embryo-Safe Stem Cells - New York Times: "NEW YORK (AP) -- A biotechnology company has developed a new way of creating stem cells without destroying human embryos, billing it as a potential solution to a contentious political and ethical debate.

''This will make it far more difficult to oppose this research,'' said Robert Lanza of Advanced Cell Technology, the Alameda, Calif., company that reported the new method.

Stem cell researchers were impressed by the new technique's ability to produce two robust lines of stem cells without requiring the destruction of embryos, and a White House spokeswoman called it encouraging. However, few on either side believe the new procedure will end the long-running bitter impasse over the science."