Cord blood, also known as "placental blood," is the blood that is contained within the umbilical cord and placenta after a newborn is born and after the cord is cut. Traditionally, placenta and umbilical cord were discarded after birth by attending medical staff. However, because these elements contain umbilical cord blood that is a unique source of stem cells - in particular, stems cells that are genetically unique to the newborn and those closely related to it - some parents now opt to preserve the umbilical cord and placenta until the newborn's cord blood can be extracted and preserved.
Cord blood that is preserved can later be used as a source of blood stem cells, if that newborn or a relative were to need a blood transplantation. The reason is that cord blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells, the cellular elements of human blood. Cord blood can be stored by either public or private cord blood banks. One benefit of public cord blood banks is that they store cord blood for the benefit of the general public, with most participating in a National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) in cord blood is matched to patients that require. Private cord blood banks are for-profit organizations which store cord blood for the exclusive use of the donor or donor's relatives. The main benefit of choosing a private cord blood bank is that it ensures that there will be ample supplies of cord blood if multiple relatives require a transplantation due to disease (such as one for which many members of a family might be genetically predisposed).
Within the medical community, public cord blood banking is viewed as a beneficial service that promotes public health and well-being. On the other hand, medical professionals may recommend private cord blood banking in cases where there is family lineage of a genetic diseases. Currently, both quality public and private banking is available in the United States as well as most other medically-advanced countries, but private banking is unlawful in France and Italy. In these countries, it is opposed by the European Group on "Ethics in Science and New Technologies.”
Cord blood that is preserved can later be used as a source of blood stem cells, if that newborn or a relative were to need a blood transplantation. The reason is that cord blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells, the cellular elements of human blood. Cord blood can be stored by either public or private cord blood banks. One benefit of public cord blood banks is that they store cord blood for the benefit of the general public, with most participating in a National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) in cord blood is matched to patients that require. Private cord blood banks are for-profit organizations which store cord blood for the exclusive use of the donor or donor's relatives. The main benefit of choosing a private cord blood bank is that it ensures that there will be ample supplies of cord blood if multiple relatives require a transplantation due to disease (such as one for which many members of a family might be genetically predisposed).
Within the medical community, public cord blood banking is viewed as a beneficial service that promotes public health and well-being. On the other hand, medical professionals may recommend private cord blood banking in cases where there is family lineage of a genetic diseases. Currently, both quality public and private banking is available in the United States as well as most other medically-advanced countries, but private banking is unlawful in France and Italy. In these countries, it is opposed by the European Group on "Ethics in Science and New Technologies.”
Post a Comment