[angelize56]

For those against the research and use of embryonic stem cells...would the ability to obtain different stem cells from aminotic fluid seem alright with you? By the way...still much research to be done of the amniotic stem cells...but it's a far cry from taking stem cells from embryos that have so many people upset...

BREAKING

Jan 7, 2:44 PM EST

Report: Amniotic Fluid Yields Stem Cells

By PAUL ELIAS
AP Biotechnology Writer

Scientists reported Sunday they had found a plentiful source of stem cells in the fluid that cushions babies in the womb and produced a variety of tissue types from these cells - sidestepping the controversy over destroying embryos for research.

Researchers at Wake Forest University and Harvard University reported 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 without harm to mother or fetus and turn their discovery into several different tissue cell types, including brain, liver and bone.

Dr. George Daley, a Harvard University stem cell researcher, said that finding raises the possibility that someday expectant parents can freeze amnio stem cells for future tissue replacement in a sick child without fear of immune rejection.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...01-07-14-44-33

[bassetman]

Interesting!

[ChrisJones]

This is interesting news, it will not change my mind as I'm already made up. IMO, stem cell reasearch is justified and necessary.

[GoneForNow]

Originally Posted by ChrisJones

This is interesting news, it will not change my mind as I'm already made up. IMO, stem cell reasearch is justified and necessary.

First, there are several types of stem cells. I know of no one who, conservative or otherwise, is against stem cell research. The contested issue isn't the research, its the type of cell to be used. The one of greatest controversy being "embryonic" stem cells. There has been much more research done with adult stem cells because it has proven to be more successful so far. Embryonic stem cells usually involve the death of a fetus and that is the reason for the controversy. Obviously, if such type of cells can be gathered from amniotic fluid without harm to the fetus, the controversy can be avoided.

[Knotbored]

Is this something new? I recall seeing articles on this (cells from aminotic fluid) years ago. As a matter of fact isn't this one of the main logic arguments against embriotic cell research costs to the federal government.

[valley]

awesome! If stem cells can be harvested without harming the babies while in their embryonic stage then i'm all for it!

[Mulderator]

I'm not sure how this is new--they've been saving umbilical cords for the stem cells for awhile now:

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/cord-...disorders.html

[valley]

Originally Posted by Mulder

I'm not sure how this is new--they've been saving umbilical cords for the stem cells for awhile now:

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/cord-...disorders.html

I'd heard about that too. I received all sorts of information asking me if I wanted to bank Luke's umbilical blood stem cells to battle any future diseases he might ever have. I thought it sounded great but if I remember right, they wanted a couple of thousand dollars to do it so we passed.

[valley]

Originally Posted by Mulder

I'm not sure how this is new--they've been saving umbilical cords for the stem cells for awhile now:

I am thinking that the difference that is "new" is that instead of getting stem cells only from umbilical cord blood, they can now extract them from the clear amniotic fluid during pregnancy.

[valley]

Never had an amniocentisis tests done but have heard that its uncomfortable (needle inserted directly into your preggie belly) but if it were for a good cause then i'm sure many women would be willing to donate...kinda like donating blood but amniotic fluid instead.

[angelize56]

Hi Val: I had an amniocentesis done to check to see if William's lungs were mature enough for him to be born prematurely. You know how a shot in the arm feels....that's how it felt the 7 times they tried to draw out amniotic fluid! One of the complications of my pregnancy was very little amniotic fluid....on the second try they got enough...but they poked William's knee and the fluid was contaminated by his blood...thus the next 5 tries!

About the cord blood...in the delivery room...on the wall was a sign saying "Do not throw away umbilical cords after check"...hmmm...I'm assuming they kept everyone's for research!

[Gabriel]

Oh my...I think I will be contemplating the whereabouts of my umbilical cord for the next few days

[valley]

Originally Posted by Gabriel

Oh my...I think I will be contemplating the whereabouts of my umbilical cord for the next few days

lol...kinda gross but I saved Luke's after it fell off. Hey...I figured some day I might be able to show it to his first girlfriend at juuuuust the right moment!

[valley]

Originally Posted by angelize56

Hi Val: I had an amniocentesis done to check to see if William's lungs were mature enough for him to be born prematurely. You know how a shot in the arm feels....that's how it felt the 7 times they tried to draw out amniotic fluid! One of the complications of my pregnancy was very little amniotic fluid....on the second try they got enough...but they poked William's knee and the fluid was contaminated by his blood...thus the next 5 tries!

ouch! Glad everything was ok though!

About the cord blood...in the delivery room...on the wall was a sign saying "Do not throw away umbilical cords after check"...hmmm...I'm assuming they kept everyone's for research!

Yeah, Carl said that he saw the them draw the blood out of Luke's cord with a syringe but they didnt actually keep the cord itself. I was a little surprised..I thought they were supposed to ask permission or something (not that I wouldnt have given it).

[ChrisJones]

Originally Posted by valley

Yeah, Carl said that he saw the them draw the blood out of Luke's cord with a syringe but they didnt actually keep the cord itself. I was a little surprised..I thought they were supposed to ask permission or something (not that I wouldnt have given it).

Here in the UK they take the blood out of the cord to test it for any abnormalites. It's also standard practice to take a blood sample to keep incase there are any post natal problems and they can use the blood to help a diagnosis. Perhaps that's what they were doing?

I can't possibly imagine the look of horror on your sons face if you ever show his cord to a future girlfriend!