Stem cell preservation is the method of extraction, processing and storing of stem cells. The preservation is done so that the stem cells can be used for future treatment when needed. Stem cells have the extraordinary potential to transform your body into any tissue or organ. Due to this unique characteristic, they can treat more than 80 life-threatening diseases and deliver the baby, his siblings, and the family numerous benefits.
Stem cells can be collected from a number of sources, the most popular of which is the umbilical cord. The banking of cord blood is the removal of stem cells from the umbilical cord. This is done at birth and is a fast, trouble-free and pain-free procedure!
In India, the parents opting for stem cell preservation is very less which is approximately 2 in every 1000. This rate is very low when compared to the U.S. which is 50 per 100 babies and Singapore that is 250per 1000 babies.
Parents donate the umbilical cord blood free of charge in the case of public cord blood banks. This could then be used be for research or patients who will be a match. Even though this means that if you need a sample for your own family, the nature of stem cell transplantation through cord blood storage means that you can get an almost appropriate match through the registry of the donor.
Donated stem cells could be used to treat certain genetic disorders in the family that is often transmitted from generation to generation, such as sickle cell anemia or immune deficiency. The stem cells collected from one child can also be stored for the treatment of siblings if they match correctly. Clinical studies also evaluate all uses of stem cells from cord blood in regenerative medicine, for example in the treatment of children with autism.
There are many banking facilities in India with branches in many major cities for private cord blood banking. Since it is an uncontrolled business, parents must check the accreditation, years of expertise, of the number of samples already collected and stored by them. However, cord blood taken from a single donor is stored in smaller, separate containers (so that compatibility testing does not require the entire sample to be thawed and wasted). The storage facility should have power, fire security backups and should not be prone to natural disasters.
The storage facility should have power, fire security backups and should not be prone to natural disasters. They should also have a laboratory of research, clinical trial teams, and transplant facilities, not just storage. The fine printing of contracts and the total cost of storage should be studied.
Banks often overstate the real facts. In addition, it is a growing industry that exploits the vulnerabilities of expectant parents. But before your baby is delivered, the decisions need to be taken.
One must remember that there are many uncertainties and perhaps many in this research. And the blood of the cord is not the medical insurance it is claimed to be.