Britain blows ahead of the scientific pack this week by allowing its scientists to clone and research embryos and the stem cells which are derived from them. The tiny pinhead sized cluster of cells comprising an embryo is emerging as a giant ethical, religious, and scientific concern and may even be the deciding factor in a presidential race across the Atlantic. Yet, while U.S. scientists remain...

The good folks at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory provide a number of helpful and well-designed educational materials on their site, and this Biology Animation Library is a real find. Visitors to the site can view one of a dozen animations offered here, and they can also download them for their own use. The animations include a brief overview of cloning, several on DNA, gel electrophoresis, and...

This is the homepage of a PBS documentary about genetic technologies that was first aired in June 2003. The Web site has many online-only interactive features, including a section called Fact or Fiction. Here users can test their knowledge of reproductive technologies, cloning, legal DNA issues, and other topics. Stem cell research is outlined in one of the parts of Mapping the Future, and ethical...

The Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) was formed in 2004 to "draw Harvard's resources together by establishing a cooperative community of scientists and practitioners, by developing new ways to fund and support research, and by promoting opportunities for open communication and education." Their website features videos of HSCI scientists speaking about their selected disease programs. Visitors...

The National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science at the University of Buffalo has developed hundreds of classroom-tested materials for use in college settings. This particular case study deals with stem cell-based therapy, and it was created by Professor Miriam Segura-Totten of the North Georgia College & State University. The goal of this case is "to expose students to the basic of...

Sumanas Inc.'s website offers a wide range of material, such as animations of scientific processes, for a range of scientific disciplines, but here visitors will find their "Science in Focus" section of the website. Some of the topics that are brought to life with animating technology are antibiotic resistance, stem cell research, malaria, anthrax, gene therapy, and peptic ulcers. Click on "Go to...

It's quite easy to stay abreast of all the developments within the world of embryos and stem cell research with this handy site created and maintained by staff members at the Guardian newspaper. On their page, visitors can read news reports from the frontlines of scientific research in these areas, and also check out the latest posts from the weblogs they maintain on these matters. Further down...

Partially an outgrowth of a June 2001 workshop of leading stem cell researchers, The Committee on the Biological and Biomedical Applications of Stem Cell Research has authored this report available from National Academy Press (NAP) to address the potential of stem cell research. Various scientific, ethical, legal, and public policy issues surrounding stem cell research were considered in the...

This website comes from NOVA Science in the News, an online educational feature of the Australian Academy of Science. The site offers a comprehensive review of stem cell biology and related issues over the past few years. In addition to informative essays, a glossary, and a suggested reading list, visitors will find a useful set of links to external sites with classroom activities. This annotated...

Researchers may be interested to know that the journal Stem Cells is offering full content for free during a trial period that has been extended until further notice (for at least three months). The forthcoming issue leads off with an editorial devoted to the new registry, "National Stem Cell Resource: Stem Cells Find a Niche," by Robert G. Hawley.