Stem Cells Drafted for War on Wounds

A new programme at the US Department of Defense funds regenerative medicine to help wounded vets, but a surprising level of detail seems top secret!

"As expected of a programme that has the enthusiastic support of the Bush administration, AFIRM will steer clear of embryonic stem (ES) cells. Since the technologies are supposed to be moving quickly towards clinical trials, Vandre says embryonic stem cell technologies would not likely be applicable even in a more favorable political environment. Many are not far enough along in development to meet time constraints. Though AFIRM plans to use some placental or amniotic fluid stem cells, most projects rely on cells taken from the patients themselves, thus sidestepping issues of tissue rejection."