Scientists at Anthrogenesis said they have developed technology to remove all the blood from the placenta, then essentially keep the placenta on life-support by placing it in nutrients under special conditions for up to a few days. They then can extract stem cells from the tissue in quantities roughly 10 times what could be taken from an umbilical cord. Placental stem cells are also unlikely to be rejected by the recipient's immune system. So far, Anthrogenesis researchers said, they have been able to coax those stem cells to multiply and develop into nerve, blood, skin and muscle cells. Now they are trying to make bone and cartilage.
Much more research is needed, however, according to company officials and other experts.
In several months, the ALS foundation will begin studying potential treatments using stem cells from Anthrogenesis. The researchers then grew the cells into bone, cartilage, muscle and fat. Scientist believe stem cells could revolutionize medicine, offering a renewable source of replacement cells to treat Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, spinal cord injuries, burns, heart disease, arthritis and other illnesses.