Cord Blood Banking

Jennifer Hickey states that “Stem cells are the basis for every type of cell in the body” (¼). Since stem cells are the basis of all cells, then these cells can be implanted into someone's body who has a certain disease or disorder. Assuming that a person has Alzheimer's, then they are losing brain cells that cannot be replaced, unless stem cells are placed in their body. If stem cells were implanted into this person’s brain, those stem cells can become nerve cells and repair the brain. Nevertheless, if stem cells from embryos are grown in the wrong environment, they can cause cancer. Cells acquired from umbilical cord blood do not show any of these problems (“Stem”

Over the last several decades, the field of medical technology and research has become increasingly advanced. Just read up on any of the most recent innovations; what may have once been considered science fiction is rapidly becoming reality. Some of the most publicized scientific discoveries are related to stem cells, as the controversial research and use of certain types of these cells is continuously being debated among politicians, scientists, and religious leaders. However, it is believed that a specific type of stem cell, an umbilical cord blood stem cell, may be used to treat a number of diseases, disorders, or injuries devoid of ethical controversy. Banks for storing cord blood exist in countries all over the world and its use is

In come a stem cell which is an immature cell that can become a different cell, or even transform into one of many different cells. Most stem cells can also renew or divide themselves indefinitely. These two characteristics are what present a new pathway to repairing damage to the human body caused by trauma, degeneration and disease. Stem cells keep on generating in the body and take place of the cells which have died such as in a spinal cord injury. The process of using stem cells for spinal cord injury is controversial for some and involves taking one’s own bone marrow or a donated human umbilical cord. A licensed anesthesiologist harvests bone marrow from both hips under light general anesthesia in a hospital operating room, the procedure takes about one and half to two hours. The bone marrow-derived stem cells have to pass rigorous testing for quality and to ensure there is not bacterial contamination before they are administered to the patient. In the same fashion

Additionally, an author provided an example of another therapy –the haploidentical transplantation that uses bone- marrow cells, which are only half-matched to a patient. However, Berger clearly gives readers to understand that using umbilical-cord stem cells is better because they have not been exposed much to bacteria and viruses. As an article says the transplant trial was done by Colleen Delaney of the Fred Hutchinson cancer Research Center. The author of the article states that Delaney’s clinical trial saved the lives of thirteen people, including Quinn and Gordon, out of fifteen participants. Therefore, using the stem cells from babies’ umbilical cords is a new solution for the blood cancer patients, especially those with different racial

There are other less controversial methods of obtaining stem cells, however none of those methods seem to retrieve stem cells with the same “vitality and versatility” as those taken from embryos (Reaves). Umbilical cord blood has proven to be effective in some cases. Keone Penn, a fifteen year old from Atlanta, Georgia, was cured of his sickle cell anemia by receiving a stem cell injection. Although stem cells from umbilical cord blood are high proportioned compared to are own bone marrow and circulating blood (Dr. Andrew Yeager), they are still pluripotent, meaning that they can develop into many of the 220 cell types in the human body, but not all, therefore limiting their usefulness. Another and most obvious alternative would be to take stem cells from already grown adult stem cells. However, scientists around the world soon discovered that there were many setbacks to using adult cells. The first is that adult stem cells are already specified, meaning that if a biomedical technician were to take out a blood stem cell, it could only be used for the replacement of blood cells. Embryonic stem cells, on the other hand, are not specified, or have not yet developed into a certain type of cell. The process is controversial because of the cloning that takes place in a culture. First, the nucleus from an unfertilized egg is extracted. The nucleus contains the chromosomes of the cell, and in this case, the chromosomes of the egg. An egg alone only

Bone marrow transplants save a lot lives every year, a suitable donor is regrettably not always available. Since organs are routinely harvested from cadaveric organ donors, Scientists decided to assess such a possibility for bone marrow. They analyzed the functional properties and the phenotypic markers of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) from cadaveric bone marrow. Fresh bone marrow was capable of growing and developing in cell suspension for 2

A limited amount of stem cells can be extracted from after birth, but these few cells can mean a longer or improved life for someone (Bergman). In addition, people believe that harvesting cord blood cells steals the cells from the child. The umbilical cord is cut and clamped just like a typical delivery (CariCord). Delayed clamping, in which the cord is left attached to drain the blood back into the baby, still allows the afterbirth to be donated. The science behind cord blood banking is still developing because these treatments have only been performed for a little over ten years and the only way to overcome that is to move forward with research (Stem Cell). Cord blood cells hold the potential of becoming brain and heart cells and combatting serious neurological diseases. The science is young, but one out of every three hundred kids are plagued with cerebral palsy and one of every sixty-eight children battle autism (What It Is). The chance of helping people throughout the world live a better life fuels the need for an increase of support in this budding

To inform the audience of the advantages and disadvantage of using embryonic and umbilical cord stem cells in research.

When making any decision regarding a child’s future, any parent would (presumably) opt for a choice that increases the child's chances for health and well being. In recent years parents have been offered the option to save umbilical cord blood. This procedure has become known as cord blood banking. Cord blood banking has been discovered to offer many ways to help ensure not only the child’s health, but in some cases, other members of the family as well. Cord blood banking offers a plethora of health benefits that can save a child and their family from suffering the devastating effects of many diseases. Cord blood could, in many cases, essentially save your child's life.

For infants who have not yet started showing symptoms, treatment with umbilical cord blood stem cells has shown promise in enabling normal or near normal lives. The method can take place within weeks of birth. Neural deterioration is slowed down following the procedure and symptoms are less harsh. Kids and babies who have already started showing symptoms of the disease don’t profit from the treatment. Some people with late onset Krabbe disease benefit from treatment with umbilical cord stem cells even though it has a higher success rate on kids. Bone marrow stem cells can be used in place on umbilical cord blood stem cells, however they require the donor to be a perfect match. There is also less risk of immune system complications. For kids that have started showing symptoms and others not suitable for the procedure. the only treatment is to address symptoms as they

“Sick children whose parents did bank their blood sometimes cannot be used (Moniger, 67). Many blood banks do not tell parents that if their children may develop a cancer or a disease early on in their life that they may not be able to use the cord blood because the blood may be diseased. This risk is one of the main risks that deter parents from paying the cost for banking. Another negative aspect of cord blood collection and banking is that if a mother who delivers twins would like to collect and store her children’s cord blood, she would not be able to. Both babies may have a different cord tissue type and they may be mixed during the collection process making them virtually useless” (The Truth about Cord Blood Banking- Lucie's list, n.d.) . Also, If the mother ever had cancer, she can not have her child’s blood collected. This is because doctors do not want the possibility of the cord blood to be contaminated with the cancer which in turn will contaminate the patient receiving

Embryonic stem cell research is a highly controversial topic in today's society, this kind of stem cell commits to regenerate any type of tissue. Unfortunately, Embryonic Stem Cell Research has a dark side. To obtain these cells will kill the embryo automatically. In other words, the acquirement of the Human Embryonic Stem Cell includes performing an abortion. To obtain these cells, it would kill the embryo. This has created controversy since abortion is such a divisive topic. Politicians are uneasy to take sides. The Human Embryonic Stem Cell issue is today's Pandora's Box due to all the unwittingly chaos that it can bring to our lives. By having this new option available in the medical world,

Over the past two decades, the stem cells became an important part of a medical research. Today, stem cells are used to assist in treating numerous diseases. The umbilical cord blood can now be saved in special banks to preserve the youngest stem cells for an unlikely event the child later develops a certain kind of illness. Although there has been a lot of talk about research using stem cells, most people don’t come in contact with the topic of cord blood banking. This issue is exclusively presented to expecting parents. I want to use this question to inform unfamiliar readers about cord blood banking and its use in stem cells research. I intend to use this a question as an introduction to this topic in my research essays.

Prepared from human umbilical cords obtained automatically at delivery. The human umbilical vein grafts (HUVG) reported to be more resistant to thrombus formation than either synthetic grafts (Dacron, PTEF) (Kester, 2005).

Cord cell banking is the process of collecting and storing your baby’s umbilical cord stem cells for potential medical use. Umbilical cord has two components, the cord blood and the cord tissue. Cord blood banking involves collecting blood left in your newborn's umbilical cord and placenta, which contains potentially lifesaving cells called hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Cord tissue banking involves collecting the clamped cord tissues, after the cord blood has been drawn out from it. Umbilical cord tissue is an abundant source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which pose a critical role in the treatment of diseases, for their regenerative properties in cartilage, muscle, and nerve cells.