Amniotic Stem Cells discovered
by Hanlon on January 8, 2007 at 1:00 pm
It looks like the ol’ stem cell debate may have a solution. Scientists have discovered that they exist in amniotic fluid, which also means the major point of contention may vanish.
Researchers at Wake Forest University and Harvard University reported Sunday that the stem cells they drew from amniotic fluid donated by pregnant women hold much the same promise as embryonic stem cells.
They reported they were able to extract the stem cells from the fluid, which cushions babies in the womb, without harm to mother or fetus and turn their discovery into several different tissue cell types, including brain, liver and bone.
Now this angers me. My favorite part of stem cell research was that it would destroy millions, billions, or possibly trillions of potential babies. I was hoping that it would be the only viable option simply so fetus harvesting could become a lucrative business, thus driving up the number of abortions that I love so dearly.
…wait, hold on. I think I slipped into Straw Man Liberal for a moment, there. What I meant to say is that I hope that this line proves every bit as useful as the embryonic line, so it can be federally funded and cures can be discovered without any kind of political wrangling holding it back.
Posted: January 8th, 2007 under science.
Comments
Comment from Hanlon
Time January 8, 2007 at 11:35 pm
Hopefully few. I do fear that in the interest of driving all support away from embryonic research the right will start to crow that amniotic cells are all we need, but I also hope that the science will back it up.
I honestly doubt it could prove as fruitful as embryonic cells, as they’re from the mother rather than the fetus (cells in a “finished” mass vs. those in a mass developing, to put it poorly), but if they can make progress with them until the other side comes to their senses, that’s enough for me.
Comment from Zach Pozun
Time January 9, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Oh wow, I didn’t read that they’re derived from mother not fetus. Well then.
That is not a very good sign. One of the problems with adult stem cells is the “age” of the cell, particularly in things like the telomeres.
I hope they prove to be equivalent to embryonic, but that fact casts further doubts on it.
Comment from Leo Pharmacy
Time February 4, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Is the Chlamydia trachomatis most common reportable infection in the US? WBR LeoP
Comment from Zach Pozun
Time January 8, 2007 at 11:09 pm
I wonder how long its going to take before false claims about these are spread, like has happened with adult stem cells.
The scientist in me wants to see all the evidence, especially that they’re equivalent in all ways to embryonic stem cells before getting really excited. As of now, I have my doubts.
I really hope they prove to be totipotent as well, but that will take a long time to ascertain.