Although it is far from the last word on the subject, news of a breakthrough in stem cell research suggests there may be a way around the political and ethical impasse over this important scientific endeavor.

What is disappointing is the immediate reaction from President Bush, who is opposed to using embryos for any such research. Bush's position is that taking cells from embryos is tantamount to taking human life since embryos are destroyed in the process, and it should not be allowed under any circumstances.

But the new research suggests it may be possible to extract cells from an early-stage embryo without destroying the embryo.

While the research, conducted by Advanced Cell Technology of Worcester, Mass., suggests that no harm is done to the embryo when a viable cell is extracted, more work must be done.

One ethicist asks: If the cell extracted is, in fact, the beginnings of a "twin" of the embryo left behind, then would using that cell for other purposes be yet another version of destroying potential human life?

Interesting question. But Bush immediately pushed far beyond these issues to declare that "any use" of human embryos for research purposes raises serious ethical questions.

That draws a very hard and arbitrary line. What's clear is the real potential that stem cell research holds. This research may one day lead to amazing cures for a lengthy list of often-fatal diseases and other ailments. But we will never get there unless science is allowed to move ahead.

The breakthrough from the Advanced Cell Technology labs offers a new approach that should resolve some ethical concerns. It should be encouraged, not dismissed.