Amniotic Fluid Stem Cell: Breakthrough Research Without Destroying Embryos

There is a new scientific breakthrough in the world of stem cell research that does not involve the destruction of embryos, but still provides almost the same benefits. These stem cells come from a woman's amniotic fluid, which is what supports the baby while inside the womb.

So far with the stem cells obtained from the amniotic fluid, scientists have been able to create tissue cell types for the brain, bone and liver. The main reason this proves to be such a breakthrough is because the stem cell extraction method is not harmful to the mother or fetus, which is the controversy over the embryonic stem cell research.

Scientists still stress that the stem cells obtained from the amniotic fluid, though it can generate many different cell types, will probably not be able to produce as many cell types as the embryonic stem cells. But, to them this is still a scientific breakthrough because, since the Bush Administration has opposed the destruction of embryos, this now provides scientists with an alternative method that should not be opposed.

A Swiss researcher, Simon Hoerstrup, has been able to use the stem cells from the amniotic fluid to create heart cells. These heart cells could then be developed and used as replacement valves. Therefore, after more research is completed, it is possible these stem cells could be used for not only tissue repair, but also for engineering organs.

Scientists are saying that the most promising aspect for this new research is that some of the amniotic stem cells contained Y chromosomes in the DNA, which means that those cells came from the babies instead of the mothers. So maybe after more research these stem cells could prove to be more promising then scientists and researchers initially thought.