Amniotic fluid value

There are significant differences between stem cells obtained from other sources and those found in amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluid stem cells exist in the fluid surrounding the fetus during development; these cells are pluripotent and are able to develop into bone, cartilage, muscle, kidney, liver and neural tissue, and blood.

These cells are not embryonic and thus no harm comes to the fetus while harvesting them during amniocentesis. Also, unlike in the case of adult stem cells, a very large number of cells can be grown from a small volume of amniotic fluid.