Scientists use amniotic fluid as a source of stem cells

Scientists use amniotic fluid as a source of stem cells: "In addition to being easily obtained, amniotic stem cells can be grown in large quantities, because they typically double every 36 hours. They do not require guidance from other cells for their development, and they do not produce tumors, which have proven to be a problem with some other types of stem cells. "

Since these cells can reproduce in large quantities, they would be very useful as a replacement for adult stem cells in some situations. Adult stem cells are not easy to obtain in quantitiy.

I wonder what function these stem cells are filling in the amniotic fluid. No one has mentionned that.

Dr. Atala says these cells produce Many cell types. Many is not all. They do not appear to be embryonic stem cells or to have equal functions.