Family Health

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There is a lot of discussion in the world going on right now about umbilical cord blood and stem cell research. Much of it is surrounding the collection and storage of cord blood, because of its strong value for use in transplants and to aid in the cure of many blood and immune-system related genetic diseases, cancers, and disorders. Cord blood is the human blood that is extracted from the umbilical cord after a child is born.

Stem cells taken from cord blood of an individual have the potential to treat those same individuals using their own cells autologously (ie. when the cells are collected from the same patient on whom they will be used) later on in life, if they are unfortunate enough to develop a condition. Storing your own cells, it is suggested, provides a better chance for that individual to survive.

The problem with these theories though, is that many seek to exploit the technology and information, suggesting that it might be in people’s best interest to secure cord blood to be able to used later on. Although it hasn’t been proven entirely successful, and that there would only be a small percentage likely to be able to take advantage of the services, still there are many who believe that the process or storing and collecting cord believe is vital to the survival of many, and therefore is a more than worthwhile pursuit.

While we don’t fully understand the complete value of stem cells and cord blood, it is believed that by keeping the cells, it increases the chances and opportunities to cure diseases and save lives.