Stanford launches stem cell research project: yes, it's cloning.

Stanford University reignited the debate over the use of stem cells when a top scientist said the school intended to experiment with nuclear transfer technology, an effort many consider to be cloning.

''Our avowed goal is to advance science,'' said Stanford medical professor Dr. Irving Weissman, who will direct the school's stem cell effort. ''For any group to stay out of the action and wait for someone else to do it because of political reasons is wrong.''

(Ethics? We don't need no stinkin' ethics!)

Nobel laureate and Stanford professor Paul Berg, when asked at the news conference if nuclear transfer and cloning were the same, he had a two-word response: ''It is.''

He added. ''We use the word cloning in science as a term to describe the production of many copies of a starting material.''

Thanks for clearing that up, Professor.

Maybe it's time to re-read That Hideous Strength.