When a baby is born, more than one precious thing enters the world. It has been found that the blood in the umbilical cord and placenta has special medical uses. Parents may choose to have the cord blood harvested. They may want the blood reserved for their own use, donate it for a special use or make it available for research.
Super Blood
The blood in the umbilical cord carries stem cells. Stem cells are important because they are undifferentiated cells, which means they could potentially become any kind of cell in the body. They are useful to people who suffer certain diseases because, through cell culture, these undifferentiated cells can be used to replace damaged tissue.
Blood for Later Use
According to the Parent's Guide, the blood is collected from the birth. The collection must be arranged ahead of time. Note that some hospitals may not have procedures to collect cord blood. The blood may be allowed to drip out of the cord or it may be syringed out. The medical technician will store the blood either in a blood bag or set of vials. The blood is sent, usually at a neutral temperature, to a lab where it is processed. The blood is looked at for protein markers that will divide it into type, likely using the human leukocyte antigen, or HLA, typing system. This system identifies compatibilities in blood type so technicians will know who to give it to with the highest chance of success. Once typed, the blood is stored by freezing it in liquid or vapor nitrogen.
Public and Private Cord Banks
People may choose to donate cord blood from their birth to a public cord bank. This blood will be made available to those in need. Be aware that some blood banks charge a fee to donate. Families have the best chance of providing a match for each other, so they may choose to have the cord blood go to a private cord bank. A family member with a medical condition may need the blood immediately, or the parents may just want to be ready for any potential problems that might befall their infant.
Blood Disorders
Stem cells, and thus cord blood, can be used to help people with various blood disorders. These include leukemia; lymphoma, which is a cancer of the lymphocytes in blood; and some anemias. These are standard, approved therapies. In these particular types of therapies, the recipient must find someone whose blood matches his own, but it does not have to be a family member; it could be a stranger.
Blood for Clinical Trials
The blood may be used in clinical trials. In clinical trials, the standards of evidence are lower. Although it has not yet been determined that the cord blood will help a specific condition, there is some evidence that it could. It is through clinical trials that new procedures are tested. Certain auto-immune diseases, such as Crone's disease, certain nervous system problems, such as those from spinal cord damage, as well as many other medical conditions are currently being tested to see if cord blood will help.
Blood for Research
Some blood donated for research has not been determined to have a direct contribution. These experimental trials investigate whether stem cells could possibly create a positive outcome, but as yet no evidence exists to support the inquiry. One area of research includes auto-immune diseases, such as arthritis. Research is being done to determine if cord blood can help with gene therapy and nerve cell repair for diseases such as those that affect the central nervous system.
Other Feelings
The use of stem cells is controversial when taken from an aborted baby. It is not usually controversial when the stem cells are from the cord blood of a healthy, term pregnancy. However, cord blood use might be controversial if a child is created specifically to provide cord blood to a relative. According to Reuters, parents might also be criticized if they privately bank cord blood for possible future need instead of making it available to whoever needs it immediately.
