Fetal tissue shows promise in healing burns

A new article published in the online edition of the Lancet details a "biological bandage," a new burn treatment which appears to produce unexpectedly good results. Complicating matters a little bit is the source of the treatment -- embryonic stem cells harvested from an aborted fetus. Swiss researchers found tissue panels grown from fetal tissue appeared to dramatically speed healing in cases of children with severe burns. The authors speculate the advance could have applications in many other areas, possibly one day eliminating skin grafts. The news is expected to anger some social conservatives opposed to research which relies on stem cells harvested from unborn children.

- see this story from the International Herald Tribune