Military Using Stem Cells to Heal Wounded Soldiers
This is some of the coolest and most ground-breaking research in stem cells. I just read in an article that the military (among others) is funding research at Vanderbilt and Rutgers University. Basically adult stem cells from placenta and amniotic fluid were used to regrow fake ears and other things for military personel injured in Iraq. A “skeleton” is made and the adult stem cells are used to grow a replacement ear on the back of mice. It’s really interesting and exciting. Some civilians will even be used to test the procedure, but it seems very promising. Not only will the adult stem cell procedure help the heal, but it will help them psychologically as they will appear more like they did before the attacks, etc. This is definately a pro in the pros and cons of stem cell research.
It should be noted that Embryonic Stem Cells were not used b/c the government is not allowed to fund research for them. But that’s ok, becuase adult stem cells appear to have more promise anyway.
