Scientists find flexible stem cells in placenta

[Eugene]

Scientists find flexible stem cells in placenta
Fri Aug 5, 2005 2:25 PM BST

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Scientists looking for easier and
less-controversial alternatives to stem cells from human embryos said
on Friday they found a potential source in placentas saved during
childbirth.

They described primitive cells found in a part of the placenta called
the amnion, which they coaxed into forming a variety of cell types and
which look very similar to sought-after embryonic stem cells.

With 4 million children born in the United States each year, placentas
could provide a ready source of the cells, the team at the University
of Pittsburgh said.

It is not yet certain that the cells they found are true stem cells,
said Stephen Strom, who worked on the study. But they carry two
important genes, called Oct 4 and nanog, which so far have only been
seen on embryonic stem cells.

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=2005-08-05T132459Z_01_N05427696_RTRIDST_0_SCIENCE-CELLS-DC.XML

[kestrel91316]

1. Oh, wow, gee whiz, let's all get pregnant and then run down to

the abortion mill and get abortions so we can donate our placentas to science!

(just behaving like the RW says we loose pro-choice women behave)

:eyes:

[beam me up scottie]

2. Oh, hell, I joined

a club.
Buy two get the third for free.
If you sign up now, you get a free toaster.

[iconoclastic cat]

3. Cool! We're already going to donate IconBaby's cord blood.

I wonder if we can donate the placenta?

[HysteryDiagnosis]

4. Google for stem cells glyconutrients... it's starting to come

together now.....