Stem cell researchers have alternative to embryonic stem cells

Research at North Carolina's Wake Forest University may lead the way for stem cell research without the heated deadlock seen in recent political debates. Dr. Anthony Atala found a new class of stem cells that may provide an alternative to using embryonic stem cells. This could allow research to continue and avoid tight financial restrictions imposed by the Bush administration.

Scientists have found cells in many more places than once thought possible, including the brain, bone marrow, the blood, skeletal muscle, skin -- even fat. Doctors at Duke University have pioneered life-saving treatments using stem cells harvested from umbilical cord blood but the cords generally produce only enough cells to provide treatment for children.

Exerpt from the news release...

News and Observer
January 8, 2006
Catherine Clabby, Staff Writer

New stem cells offer promise
A scientist at Wake Forest helped discover the cells in amniotic fluid. Their harvest requires no destruction of embryos. Researchers envision a human repair kit

WINSTON-SALEM - A Wake Forest University scientist says he has discovered a new class of stem cells in the wombs of pregnant women that may provide an alternative to embryonic stem cells.

The new cells, unlike embryonic cells, could be harvested without the destruction of early-stage human embryos. That means research and development of treatments using these cells would probably not be subject to the tight financial restrictions the Bush administration has imposed on scientific work involving embryonic stem cells. Read more...