1.   The number of cell divisions in the early embryo that are controlled by the cytoplasm varies from species to species.

2.   Already, scientists in Oregon say they have cloned rhesus monkeys from very early embryo cells.

3.   And an early embryo looks like nothing so much as a plate of cells.

4.   And, he said, it is impossible to take an early embryo and grow it into millions of cells in the laboratory.

5.   But the problem was that cells from early embryos were not good for genetic engineering.

6.   For a decade, scientists have been able to clone animals from very early embryo cells.

7.   For the last decade, scientists have cloned from early embryo cells, which are not yet specialized.

8.   However, embryonic stem cell research is controversial, since it involves the destruction of early human embryos.

9.   It could, for example, challenge the absolute opposition by anti-abortionists to research on human eggs or early embryos.

10.   Now scientists have created an early human embryo, which they say is an important step toward providing genetically matched replacement cells as treatments for diseases.