Given the predicted value of stem cells as well as the heated ethical debate behind them, I’m surprised that this story isn’t all over the front pages: “Report: Amniotic Fluid Yields Stem Cells.”

Researchers at Wake Forest University and Harvard University reported Sunday that the stem cells they drew from amniotic fluid donated by pregnant women hold much the same promise as embryonic stem cells.

They reported they were able to extract the stem cells from the fluid, which cushions babies in the womb, without harm to mother or fetus and turn their discovery into several different tissue cell types, including brain, liver and bone.