Stem Cells from the Umbilical Cord?

By Martin A. David martin.david@hqpublications.com Pharmavita Columnist October 22, 2004

There is a lot in the news about stem cells. Let's see what they are and how the stem cells found in umbilical cord blood can affect you and your family.

Think of stem cells as master building blocks. They all start out pretty much the same - in the early stages of pregnancy - then they change, according to where they are needed.

Some of them become skin and some become brain cells. The stem cells found in umbilical cord blood are the ones that build your blood and immune systems.

How is Cord Blood Connected?

An amazing discovery, found through valuable stem cell research, is that these cord blood stem cells can be used to repair damage and deterioration caused by disease and injury. That means that nerve diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, might soon be cured by using umbilical cord blood stem cells to rebuild the diseased portions of the brain. The research also shows promise for heart disease and stroke patients.

Saving your Stem Cell Assets through Cord Blood Banking

Medical scientists have found that umbilical cord blood can be harvested from the umbilical cord of a newborn infant and saved in a cord blood bank. If that child is struck by one of a growing list of diseases while later in life, the cord blood registry can find that blood specimen and use it to grow the stem cells that are a complete match to the patient's bodily systems.

Umbilical cord blood banking is also used to help patients who must receive organ transplants. The cord blood stem cells reduce the incidence of transplant rejection.

The cord blood collection procedure is simple. Blood is taken from the umbilical cord before the cord is discarded after the baby is born. That blood cord donation can mean the difference between life and death many years down the road.


About the Author
Martin A. David consults as a Senior Technical Writer for a number of Silicon Valley firms. He is also a translator, specializing in Danish, French and Spanish literary works. He has written numerous feature articles for publications including the Los Angeles Times. He has also published a novel, and a non-fiction book in the area of dance. Martin earned his B.A. in Liberal Arts from Brooklyn College in his native New York. He currently chairs the Santa Clara Cultural Advisory Commission in Santa Clara, California.