The umbilical cord proves its worth way after birth.
Imagine if you could store your very own cells in a bank and trans-form them into perfectly matched spare body parts in the future. Science fiction? Not anymore.
Storing stem cells
The idea of storing stem cells came from a very real need. Diseases such as genetic disorders and cancers affecting the blood and immune system are commonly treated with bone marrow transplantation. But finding a matching bone marrow is very difficult.
Fortunately, scientists have discovered an alternative: stem cell transplant. Stem cells are immature cells that can develop into various kinds of cells and tissues in the body. With this discovery, many blood stem cell banks have sprouted across the world to serve potential blood stem cell donors.
The blood retained in the umbilical cord (cord blood) is a rich source of stem cells. To date, more than 45 disorders can be treated with stem cells from umbilical cord blood.
Cryo-preservation
In private cord blood banks, people can store their own blood stem cells, which may prove priceless should they need them in the future.
"Expectant parents are storing cord blood for their families not only as a potential life-saving resource for current uses of stem cells, but also for their future potential," explains Dr. Teo Cheng Peng, chairman and medical director of StemCord Pte Ltd. "Parents often bank [cord blood] for the security of knowing the health benefits stem cells may someday offer their children, themselves, or other family members."
"There are no risks to both mother and baby as cord blood is collected only after the baby is delivered and the cord is clamped and cut," Teo notes. "The volume of blood collected is negligible and hence does not 'bleed' the mother."
After collection, the specimen is transported to StemCord's laboratory in Singapore, processed and stored in cryovials inside liquid nitrogen tanks at -1800C. Some researchers believe that cryo-preserved stem cells can remain viable indefinitely.
Although stem cord technology has received its share of attacks from ethicists, "cord blood banking is the hope for the future," says Phoebe Tsai Te, StemCord chief operating officer.
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