TY - JOUR T1 - Human embryonic stem cells and respect for life JF - Journal of Medical Ethics JO - J Med Ethics SP - 166 LP - 170 DO - 10.1136/jme.26.3.166 VL - 26 IS - 3 AU - John R Meyer Y1 - 2000/06/01 UR - http://jme.bmj.com/content/26/3/166.abstract N2 - The purpose of this essay is to stimulate academic discussion about the ethical justification of using human primordial stem cells for tissue transplantation, cell replacement, and gene therapy. There are intriguing alternatives to using embryos obtained from elective abortions and in vitro fertilisation to reconstitute damaged or dysfunctional human organs. These include the expansion and transplantation of latent adult progenitor cells. ER -