IN THIS CASE, THERE'S MORE-THAN-AMPLE SUPPLY

Human stem cells are amazing things. From them, medical wizards can produce any number of lifesaving tissues. Indeed, scientists predict stem cells will one day be used to regenerate organs, glands, nerves and brain tissue.

But the source of stem cells has encountered a good deal of controversy. Aborted fetuses and frozen embryos have been a major supplier.

Now scientists say stem cells can be extracted from far less controversial -- and much more plentiful -- sources: human body fat and placentas that usually are discarded after the birth of a child.

That is good news.

And goodness knows that most Americans have ample supplies of stem cells in their own body fat, which holds the potential for providing essential tissues that won't be rejected because of a donor mismatch.