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The Boston International Society of Stem Cell Research reports that researchers in Cambridge, England have generated “synthetic” human embryos from human embryonic stem cells. These cells, derived after killing an embryo, are typically pluripotent, not totipotent, and therefore not capable of producing embryos. However, certain manipulations in the reprogramming of these human embryonic stem cells may make it possible to actually generate early embryos. Father Tad and Drew Mariani discuss the ethical implications of alternative pathways to producing human beings that do not follow directly from the natural course of development typically initiated by the  union of sperm and egg. 

 The interview begins at 16:15 and can be found here.