Newborns Killed for Stem Cells?

Newborn babies may have been stolen from mothers in Russian maternity clinics only to be harvestedfor their stem cells. The BBC has spoken to mothers from the city of Kharkiv who say they gave birth to healthy babies, only to have them taken by maternity staff. In 2003 the authorities agreed to exhume around 30 […]

FetalcellsNewborn babies may have been stolen from mothers in Russian maternity clinics only to be harvestedfor their stem cells.

The BBC has spoken to mothers from the city of Kharkiv who say they gave birth to healthy babies, only to have them taken by maternity staff.

In 2003 the authorities agreed to exhume around 30 bodies of foetuses and full-term babies from a cemetery used by maternity hospital number six.

One campaigner was allowed into the autopsy to gather video evidence. She has given that footage to the BBC and Council of Europe.

Disturbing doesn't begin to describe the thought that these allegations might pan out. Several offshore stem cell clinics say they use fetal stem cells for myriad therapies.

Ukraine babies in stem cell probe [BBC News]

Elsewhere in this week's Bodyhack:

WHO (are those dead people in "Casino Royale")

WHAT (is a researcher doing with psychotic Americans)

WHERE (can you get stem-cell treatment)

WHEN (will mice live longer

WHY (Indians don't fit into condoms)

HOW (scientists are predicting schizophrenia.)