Researchers Find Usable Stem Cells In Amniotic Fluid

From ClickToNews

Jump to: navigation, search
 ClickToNews.com | Latest Articles | Post New Headline | Help | News Directory | News Categories

[edit] Abstract

Researchers have found a new usable type of stem cell in amniotic fluid that may by-pass the current ethical arguments surrounding the use of embryonic stem cells.

[edit] Details

Researchers in Wake Forest University School of Medicine found stem cells in amniotic fluid - up until now it was believed that the only usable stem cells were found in human embryos. These new amniotic stem cells appear to function very similarly to their embryonic counterparts, with a few slight differences. The researchers have known about the stem cells for many years, but only now are confident about their function after years of testing. They already have been able to use these new stem cells to create new brain, liver, and bone cells.

Stem cells, we have been told over the last 10 years, are a type of cell from which other types of human cells are formed. While there are many differences between skin cells, bone cells, blood cells, etc, they can all be derived from a kind of basic, or blank cell: the Stem Cell. There has been much talk of the potential of stem cells for human medical purposes. The basic idea is that stem cells could be implanted in people to regenerate, replace or re-grow damaged or missing cells in their own body. The potential for organ repair has led researchers to posit all types of possible uses for stem cells, including treating diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's - among many others.

However, research in this area has been slow and hindered by many outside of the realm of science. Many right-wing and religious fanatics have opposed the use and research of embryonic stem cells for many of the same reasons they oppose abortion - that embryos are people too, and they should be allowed to live and develop, not aborted and dissected. Backers of stem cell research has always pointed out that they source their embryonic stem cells used in their research from fetuses that have already been aborted - no lives have been created merely for the harvesting of stem cells.

Clearly this is a debate that has and still does strike close many peoples beliefs and values. As such, research funding for stem cell research has been restricted and in some places banned.

This new finding, a different source of stem cells, could blow the doors wide open on the stem cell debate by taking embryos right out of the picture. No longer is an aborted life required to source the stem cells - they can be extracted from a pregnant mother with no serious danger or complications for the mother or baby.

Doctors have had the ability to take samples of amniotic fluid from pregnant mothers for decades - sometimes it is necessary to run specific tests to check the baby and mother's health.

One of the researchers speculated that expectant parents might one day start freezing amniotic stem cells from their children-in-development for use in their children's life sometime in the future.

The researchers say that tests and trails on humans with stem cells are still many years away - but this discovery could help make those stem cell promises into concrete reality much sooner.

[edit] Sources & External Links

Retrieved from "http://www.clicktonews.com/Wiki/index.php/Researchers_Find_Usable_Stem_Cells_In_Amniotic_Fluid"
Personal tools