In a recent report in Lancet (Hohlfeld J., et al. Lancet, Published online doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(05)67107-3 (2005)), scientists were able to show how fetal cells can potentially replace traditional skin grafting in treating second- and third- degree skin burns. While the paper is based on the treatment eight burn victims ranging in age from 14 months to 9 years, the authors say it should also work in adults.

The researchers collected cells from an aborted fetus and allowed the cells to divide in vitro. The cells were then allowed to grow on a bed of collagen (an important protein for skin elasticity). This procedure can source several million 100 sq cm patches for transplant from a single fetal biopsy. These patches were then placed onto burn wounds, which took an average of 15 days to heal (up to 6 times faster than traditional skin grafting).

This is a technology that is certainly promising, but may be controversial. On one hand, one cannot ignore the moral issue that surrounds using fetal cells-- aborted fetuses at that. On the other hand, with abortion rates going as it is...