Lines at the stem cell bank

June 15, 2007
Ana Krtolica is selling potential clients on being first in line for treatment if scientists in the next five to 50 years find stem cell-based cures for diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's or sickle cell anemia.
The key word is "if," say critics of StemLifeLine, Krtolica's San Carlos company that offers to bank personal stem cell lines derived from in vitro fertilized eggs. Krtolica, on the other hand, emphasizes "potential."
The price of that potential is as much as $17,000 over 20 years, including annual bank fees of about $400.