SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 19, 2001 (LSN.ca) – Dr. Paul R. Sanberg of the University of South Florida presented the ethical alternative to embryonic stem cell and aborted baby tissue research to scientists at the American Association for the Advancement of Science on Sunday. Dr. Sanberg reported the results of experiments where his team removed stem cells from umbilical cords and used them to treat rats which had suffered strokes. In experiments on about 60 rats, the team found that after one month, those given the cells had recovered about 80 percent from their strokes, compared with about 20 percent in untreated rats.
He noted that 4 million babies are born in the United States each year, and 99 percent of their cord blood is tossed away. He said one or two cords could probably provide enough stem cells to treat one human stroke victim. The cells could be frozen for use when needed.
Taken from the AP report at worldnews