|
Written by Alana Hebenton
|
 Traditionally people suffering from blood disorders or life-threatening
medical conditions, like leukaemia, would have to endure cells being
taken from their bone marrow. Not only were these procedures extremely
painful but also they were not always successful. The only other option
was to search for a donor match, which again was very unreliable and
particularly difficult for mixed race families or in cases where donor
sperm or eggs were used for conception.
Families now have the option to use the umbilical cord as a source of
stem cells. This technique is not only painless, but is also a far
richer source than bone marrow for cells. Umbilical cord cells are the
body’s progenitor or ‘master cells’ and therefore have the ability to
multiply and transform into other cells. Umbilical cord cells also
therefore provide new hope for regenerative medicine tackling major
diseases such as diabetes and in tissue organ repair.
Dr Peter Hollands, Senior Lecturer in Bio-Medical Sciences at
Westminster University and Scientific Director of Smart Cells
International says, “I would like to see umbilical cord blood storage
offered to every pregnant woman. It is a simple process which really
can be a life-saver.”
How does it work?
Cord blood is taken simply from the umbilical cord after the birth of
the baby once the midwife or doctor has ensured that both mother and
baby are healthy. Using a sterile collection kit, at least 40ml of cord
blood is then collected from the umbilical cord to ensure successful
processing.. The blood sample is then sent to our laboratory where the
baby’s stem cells are extracted, frozen and stored.
Controversy
Even though the first cord blood transfusion took place over twenty-one
years ago, many are still wary of the procedure and its effectiveness.
Certain hospitals have even put a complete ban on the collection of
stem cells from umbilical cords, while others are open to the idea and
much more accommodating.
Critics have argued that the future for cord stem cells is still unknown and the future effectiveness is unpredictable.
Future Health Technologies Ltd believe that although there are
different opinions on the statistics of the likelihood of using the
cells, when all the possible uses are added up then the chances
increase. They suggest there are further increases if you factor in the
possibility of using the cells for brothers, sisters or even parents of
the child. There are also many promising research projects that are
being carried out around the world on the use of stem cells. One of the
most recent is a clinical trial to investigate the use of stem cells
for the repair of heart muscle following a heart attack or other
similar incident.
Last year when the Department of Health published the UK’s first report
into this area of research, they acknowledged the growing interest in
cord blood banking and its ability to treat illnesses. Conducted by
Technopolis, the review surveyed both the UK picture and practices in
other countries and made a selection of recommendations for the
Government. These included a national policy on cord blood, which would
include the aim of increasing future rates of public
donation/collection and a commission into further research on
public-private models. The research also advised the development of
marketing guidelines for private cord blood companies to ensure
accurate information is available to parents and the development of
further insight into the place of cord blood stem cell research in
relation to other stem cell research options.
These recommendations will hopefuly allow more pregnant women to be
informed about their choices for their baby’s cord blood so that fewer
cords are just thrown away. It is also to be hoped that it will bring
an end to the barriers that NHS hospitals can often place in the way of
parents who do choose to collect and store cord blood with private
companies.
For more information visit-
www.futurehealth.co.uk
www.smartcells.com
|
