Cord Banking

Thesis Statement

Despite negative views, cord banking is a good idea that could help with treating and possibly curing a multitude of illnesses or diseases.

Introduction

In the ultra-modern world of surgery we've seen some pretty astonishing advancements in how we approach the treatment of even some very uncurable diseases that were difficult to cure in the past. Exploring cord banking with its advantages brings new hopes and wonders in the world of medical science and surgery.

Umbilical cord blood banking has attracted growing worldwide interest in recent years, driven by an expansion in the therapeutic use of adult stem cells, the unfailing promise of research extending application to a broader spectrum of health issues and the aspiration of many to pursue medical science in an area without the apparent moral hazard of work on embryonic stem cells. A number of UK stakeholder groups are pressing the government to adopt a more active policy with respect to cord blood, reflecting international trends in cord blood collection and use. The UK government has no exact, released principle considering cord body-fluid collection. In practice, policy makers, hospitals and healthcare professionals work within the context of the EU guidelines and the published advice of relevant professional bodies. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' position paper on umbilical cord blood banking (2006) is used widely as a key text and source of advice. In July 2008, new rules came into force requiring the collection of cord blood to take place under licence from the Human Tissue Authority, which means cord blood can be collected only by people with specialist training and on premises that meet essential standards. (Balraj Sahani Pp. 29)

Commissioned by international agencies, to provide intelligence as to current policies, practices and trends as an input to its deliberations around the need to increase umbilical cord blood collection and use, and its potential practicable options. Research illustrates a boost in the use of cord blood. In terms of haematopoietic stem cell (HPC) transplantation, there is an increase in both the absolute number of cord blood samples used for transplant, and the proportion of transplants using cord blood, in comparison with other sources of HPCs from bone marrow donations or peripheral blood stem cell donations. Ablend of components is at work. Cord blood transplants demonstrate equivalent patient outcomes to bone marrow transplants, even when there is a lower degree of tissue type match, between the donor and patient. (Susan, L, Parks et. al 2009)

The advancement of new procedures utilising 2 or 3 cord blood samples for a single transplant has made cord blood transplant a credible treatment for adults as well as children, which has increased the size of the basic treatment population. Cord blood also provides an alternative source of HPCs for transplantation for patients of ethnic minority origin. There is an increase in the use of cord blood for treatments other than HPC transplantation, particularly in the USA. Evidence shows successful use of cord blood in treating Type I Diabetes Mellitus, Hurler's syndrome as ...