Amniocentesis and non-embryonic stem cells among list of "Huge Medical Breakthroughs"

Jul 8 2010

Two key focus areas of Biocell Center, the nation's first amniotic fluid stem cell bank, have been recently mentioned among the most important medical discoveries of the last century. Amniocentesis and non-embryonic stem cells were among the list of "Huge Medical Breakthroughs" presented in an article by Althea Chang on Mainstreet.com, produced by TheStreet.com on June 29, 2010.

The story highlights some of the most important and influential breakthroughs in modern medicine, including X-rays, penicillin and the human genome that resulted in life-saving technologies which we take for granted today.  Considering the contributions that they have made to the medical, scientific and patient communities, it is not surprising that amniocentesis and stem cells would be listed among such major innovations.

The medical significance of an amniocentesis diagnostic test and non-embryonic stem cells highlights the future impact of companies like Biocell Center. This private tissue bank and stem cell company offers pregnant women the opportunity to preserve stem cells contained in the amniotic fluid during their genetic amniocentesis procedure.  

Amniocentesis is a prenatal diagnostic test during which a small amount of amniotic fluid is collected from the abdomen of a pregnant woman via a thin needle for the purpose of analyzing for chromosomal abnormalities and genetic disorders such as Down syndrome.  

Additionally, non-embryonic stem cells can turn into almost any type of cell in the body and, unlike embryonic stem cells, do not carry any ethical dilemma in their collection and clinical use. Many clinical uses exist today, including bone marrow transplantation and bone re-growth, and many more non-embryonic stem cells therapies are foreseen in the future.

Amniotic fluid stem cells are mesenchymal, non-embryonic stem cells with diverse potential. They can be grown into a variety of tissues including bone, skin, cartilage, liver, kidney and cardiac muscle. "Amniotic stem cells represent an important hope for the future of stem cell therapy," says Professor Giuseppe Simoni, Scientific Director of Biocell Center and Professor of Human Genetics at the University of Milan. "Biocell Center has been studying cells from amniotic fluid for years and is the only company in the world that offers the service of amniotic fluid stem cell cryopreservation to women performing genetic amniocentesis during their pregnancy."

"The stem cells contained in the fluid surrounding the fetus are very important and valuable," concludes Simoni. "Their collection during genetic amniocentesis does not change the standard procedure, presents no risk and storing them potentially safeguards the future of a child."