Reclusive Stem Cell Researcher Profiled

joesao writes: "The NYTimes is profiling Dr. James Thomson, a reclusive Winsconsin researcher who was the first person to isolate human stem cells from embryos. The article outlines a few of the issues surrounding the stem cell research controversy, and of course, it's more acceptable counterpart, adult stem cell research. Why is this such an ethically-laden topic? I can understand why religious groups are so uptight about this, but don't the benefits greatly outweigh the burden of destroying the bundle of cells we call 'embryo'?"