Stem Cells Derived From Amniotic Fluid No Substitute For Embryonic Cells

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Stem Cells Derived From Amniotic Fluid No Substitute For Embryonic

Cells

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=60348

The Genetics Policy Institute (GPI) applauds the discovery of

apparently versatile stem cells in amniotic fluid as a positive

development, but cautions that the research does not eliminate the

need for embryonic stem cell research. " This discovery is a welcome

development that opens up a new line of research, " said Eve Herold,

who is GPI's director of public policy research and education and

also the author of the recent book, Stem Cell Wars: Inside Stories

from the Frontlines. " However, much more work needs to be done

before anyone can determine the cells' future clinical value. " Over

the weekend, a team of scientists led by Atala at Wake

Forest University School of Medicine announced that it had cultured

what appeared to be highly versatile stem cells, which were taken

from the amniotic fluid of women who were about ten weeks pregnant.

Stem cell researcher Dr. Larry Goldstein, whose work at the

University of California-San Diego focuses on neurons derived from

embryonic stem cells, noted that the Wake Forest team had culled

cells that appeared to be neurons. However, he said " Based on what

they have published, the [amniotic fluid- derived] cells don't seem

to make neurons as usable as what we routinely make with human

embryonic stem cells. But perhaps with further work, their cells and

methods will improve. "

" People have been excited about new cell types in the past and were

later disappointed, " Herold cautioned. " Science is a slow process.

Experiments need to be repeated and independently verified before

they become established as facts. However, this line of research

should definitely be pursued along with all other types of stem cell

research. This early report does not suggest that we should abandon

the science that has been proven over and over again to be so

promising. "

" There is only one 'card carrying' pluripotent human embryonic stem

cell. Patients demanding cures must reject any attempted spin on

this story claiming the work with fetal cells is an actual

alternative to current embryonic stem cell research. Most scientists

believe that different types of stem cells will eventually be needed

to treat different diseases. For this entire field to advance, the

current federal restrictions on funding must be lifted now, " said

Bernard Siegel, executive director of the Genetics Policy Institute.

For more information about GPI, visit their website at

http://www.genpol.org.