Proteus Effect

What exactly are these biological wonders--these things called stem cells? They may be tiny, but their impact is earth-shaking, generating excitement among medical researchers--and outright turmoil in political circles. They are reported to be nothing short of miraculous. But they have also incited fear and mistrust in many. The power of stem cells rests in their unspecialized but marvelously flexible nature. They are the clay of life waiting for the cellular signal that will induce them to take on the shape of the beating cells of the heart muscle or the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. With a wave of our medical magic wand, it's possible that stem cells could be used to effectively treat (even cure) diseases such as Parkinson's disease, diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and even baldness. But should scientists be allowed to pick apart 5-day-old embryos in order to retrieve stem cells? And when stem cells whisper to us of immortality--they can divide and perpetuate new cells indefinitely--how do we respond? Stem cells are forcing us to not only reexamine how we define the beginning of life but how we come to terms with the end of life. Meticulously researched, artfully balanced, and engagingly told, Ann Parson chronicles a scientific discovery in progress, exploring the ethical debates, describing the current research, and hinting of a spectacular new era in medicine.