Researchers might be able to use a certain type of human placenta cells as an alternative to the "ethically controversial" human embryonic stem cells, which some researchers believe could be used to develop treatments or cures for certain diseases and conditions, according to research announced by Taiwanese scientists on Tuesday and published in the January issue of the journal Stem Cells, AFP/Yahoo! News reports. A team of researchers from National Health Research Institutes, Cathay General Hospital, National Taiwan University Hospital and several other Taiwanese organizations isolated placenta-derived multipotent cells that they say are similar to both embryonic and adult stem cells and can be obtained through noninvasive procedures from post-birth placenta. PDMCs do not have the "restrictions" and "ethical considerations" surrounding embryonic stem cells and could be less limited in capability than adult stem cells, according to AFP/Yahoo! News. "The significance of the results is that it could provide another application option in future stem cells therapy," Chen Yao-chang, head of the NHRI stem cell research center, said. Chen added that it could be a decade before the required tests and clinical trials to determine the viability of PDMCs are completed, according to AFP/Yahoo! News (AFP/Yahoo! News, 1/4).