Promising amniotic stem-cell research.

Embryonic stem-cell research has become a very controversial issue over the last few years--and justifiably so. Human lives are sacrificed when researchers experiment with the human embryos.

Embryonic stem-cell research played a role in the 2006 mid-term elections. One could hardly escape the commercial with actor Michael J. Fox where he campaigned for members of Congress who would support embryonic stem-cell research and funding.

According to MSNBC.com, researchers have now found a new source for human stem-cell lines. These stem cells are found in the amniotic fluid of a woman, a substance that is usually discarded upon the birth of a child. Dr. Anthony Atala, the leading researcher at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, hopes that the amniotic stem cell lines would "provide a valuable resource for tissue repair and for engineered organs as well."

To date, the promise of embryonic stem-cell testing has been overstated. Embryonic stem cells build a tumor formation called a teratoma and are often no good, meaning there is a high likelihood of amniotic stem cells producing far better results than embryonic ones.

The information released by Dr. Atala will likely have little influence on Congress. In fact, H.R. 3 (described as "a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for human embryonic stem-cell research") has already been passed in the House on January 11. The bill now awaits Senate approval before it can go before President Bush, who is likely to veto the legislation if it does make it to his desk.