The use of human embryonic stem cells in possible treatments and cures for disease is one a hotly debated issues in the United States. People are grappling with the issue from ethical, legal, moral, political, religious, scientific and social perspectives. Stem cells can also be derived from adult tissue, but these cells can only serve functions related to the specific tissue from which they were taken. Embryonic stem cells, however, can be engineered to differentiate into many different types of cells related to any type of tissue. It is this ability that makes us hopeful thatembryonic stem cells may lead to treatments for diseases, such as diabetes and Parkinson's. Cloning and transgenics animal methodologies are platform technologies having the potential to contribute to major advances in biomedical and agricultural sciences, and recent advances now make it possible to combine these two powerful technologies.

The result is a more efficient method of making transgenic cattle embryos, fetuses and offspring. Cloned transgenic dairy cattle possessing milk promoters directing transgenes will produce pharmaceutical proteins in their milk faster, more efficiently and less expensively than transgenic cattle created using microinjection techniques. Additionally, cloned transgenic fetuses and animals may become a source of cells, tissue and organs for xenotransplantation. Lastly, but maybe most importantly, enhanced production traits and disease resistance may be realized in animal agriculture by utilizing these new technologies.