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Mon Jan 8th, 2007 at 11:08:42 PST A new scientific report says that stem cells might be derived from amniotic fluid: (CBS/AP) 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. I am really dubious about this. On the one hand, the science seems reputable. It's not like this is coming out of Liberty University. But on the other hand, it's hard to believe that the announcement of these results four days before a major vote on stem-cell research in Congress is a mere coincidence. Then, too, there's the danger that they might be taken out of context at that vote. This is one study, whose results need to be replicated and further investigated before amniotic cells can be declared a replacement for embryonic cells. That's of particular concern because achieving a veto-proof vote is going to be dicey. This is the arithmetic in ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn