A New Era Begins (Stem cell research)

[vern_humphrey]

A New Era Begins

Stem cells derived from amniotic fluid show great promise in the lab and may end the divisive ethical debate once and for all.

By Mary Carmichael
Newsweek
Updated: 12:01 p.m. CT Jan 7, 2007
Jan. 7, 2007 - Stem-cell research is divided into two major camps: one focused on cells from adults, the other on the controversial technique that destroys embryos. But important research published Sunday supports the idea of a third way, a new category of stem cells that are readily available, perhaps ethically trouble-free and possibly as powerful and flexible in function as their embryonic counterparts: “amniotic-fluid stem cells,” found in both the placenta and the liquid that surrounds growing fetuses.

msnbc.msn.com/id/16513279/site/newsweek/

 

[Rosalinda]

In 2003, led by Andrea-Romana Prusa of the University of Vienna, researchers found that human amniotic fluid contains stem cells that express Oct-4, a protein that is a marker for pluripotent cells. Researchers hope these adult Oct-4-postive cells will eliminate the need for embryonic stem cell research. Prusa A-R et al., “Oct-4-expressing cells in human amniotic fluid: a new source for stem cell research?,” *Human Reproduction *18, 1489-1493, 2003.

stemcellresearch.org/facts/ASCRPlasticity.pdf

 

[Rosalinda]

This story was reported last November at an American Heart Association conference.

CHICAGO – Scientists for the first time have grown human heart valves using stem cells from the fluid that cushions babies in the womb _ offering a revolutionary approach that may be used to repair defective hearts in the future.
The idea is to create these new valves in the lab while the pregnancy progresses and have them ready to implant in a baby with heart defects after it is born.
The Swiss experiment follows recent successes at growing bladders and blood vessels and suggests that people may one day be able to grow their own replacement heart parts _ in some cases, even before they’re even born.
It’s one of several sci-fi tissue engineering advances that could lead to homegrown heart valves for infants and adults that are more durable and effective than artificial or cadaver valves.

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/15/AR2006111501033_pf.html

 

[vern_humphrey]

Given this record of promise and actual success with cells taken from amniotic fluid – I wonder why we have to proceed with research on embryonic stem cells?

 

[dbacks5439]

I first heard of this on fox news. I think this is another example of how God can provide for our needs through natural means. Like with NFP and the woman’s menstrual cycle, God has given us a means to heal our sick through a medical science process. And like with NFP, we can pervert and abuse it by using artificial “man-made” techniques. Here, embryonic stem cells are the alternate natural process, however this process conflicts with Church Teaching. I think the Church will embrace this new discovery, perhaps turning a few heads…

 

[SeekerJen]

Scientists for the first time have grown human heart valves using stem cells from the fluid that cushions babies in the womb _ offering a revolutionary approach that may be used to repair defective hearts in the future.
The idea is to create these new valves in the lab while the pregnancy progresses and have them ready to implant in a baby with heart defects after it is born.

This is really, really cool. It eliminates the worry over immune rejection of foreign tissue implants. As long as it can be done without harming the fetus in utero, it sounds totally promising. And if they can be taken from the placenta (which is usually discarded) for stem cell research, so much the better!

 

[mary_bobo]

Given this record of promise and actual success with cells taken from amniotic fluid – I wonder why we have to proceed with research on embryonic stem cells?

It’s the old case of “don’t bother me with facts, my mind’s made up”. It is PC to be in favor of stem cell research and no other research will dent the minds of those who are fighting for this. It is connected with religion in their minds and we certainly can’t have any of that. What do you think?

 

[Bobby_Jim]

My one question is how one harvests cells from the amniotic fluid - is it something like amniocentesis, which has ~1/200 risk of miscarriage?

 

[Mot_Juste]

My one question is how one harvests cells from the amniotic fluid - is it something like amniocentesis, which has ~1/200 risk of miscarriage?

In the Washington Post article, they are talking about using those cells to produce the tissue to repair life-threatening heart valve defects in the unborn child. Given the nature of the birth defect, the risk of the amniocentesis procedure to obtain the cells would be reasonable.

The Newsweek article says that the cells can also be obtained from the placenta after the birth of the child. That would be the preferred method if you are banking them or donating them. I think you’d only go the amniocentesis route if you were racing against the clock to harvest and grow the cells in order to treat an imminently life-threatening condition.

–Bill

 

[Rosalinda]

No surprise this news is getting the at the Vatican.

Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, President of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers, said that in his opinion the research holds a great deal of promise. Barragan told Vatican Radio that the amniotic stem cells “may not have problems from the ethical point of view,” because their removal does not damage the life of the donor. The Cardinal also pointed out the cells potential compatibility with their donors. Based on initial reports, Barragan concluded, “I am very glad to see this progress in the field of science for the good of humankind.”

… Msgr. Jacques Suaudeau, M.D. and official of the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy for Life also told Vatican Radio on Monday that the new process is promising because, like embryonic stem cells, the amniotic stem cells appear to thrive in lab dishes for years. Suaudeau said the flexibility of amniotic stem cells remains to be fully tested, but agreed that there seem to be no ethical barriers crossed in their removal.

ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=74728

 

[Rosalinda]

More good news from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Dr. Richard Insel, Executive Vice President for Research at JDRF announced:

[sign]“That stem cells from amniotic fluid have the ability to become many cell types is a significant finding…We are currently funding Dr. Atala to determine the potential of amniotic fluid-derived stem cells to develop into functional beta cells. [/sign]

jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=106437