Working over the cord blood: research continues

Birth signifies the beginning of new life. Many years back, nobody would have thought that the beginning of a single life can lead to the end of the sufferings of many. It could even open new vistas in the field of medical science and can help in the treatment of numerous fatal disorders. Cord blood present in the umbilical cord and placenta of the pregnant mother has a large pool of stem cells which help in many ways for the combating various transplantable aliments, immune disorders and other diseases especially at the cellular level.

Stem cells of the umbilical cord blood are of great interest for the medical researchers. Various cancers, leukaemia, Parkinson’s disease, sickle cell anaemia, spinal injuries and even diabetes and heart related problems are some of the fields where the research of the cord blood cells has left its marks.

The cord blood stem cell transplant has been proved as a more worthy option for the transplant purpose as compared to the bone marrow transplant therapy. Research has found out that the stem cells are present in large concentration in the cord blood as compared to any other part of the body.

These cells can even form a complete organ or a tissue which could replace the damaged one as these cells have a great tendency to multiply and replicate themselves. Umbilical cord blood stem cell can also be utilised for the treatment of the diseases related to lungs and pancreas.

For the research purpose, the cord blood is collected, processed and stored at the cord blood banks under the cryogenic conditions. People can even donate the cord blood directly to the research centres within their locality. Studies have also found out that the umbilical cord or the placenta cord blood is the purest pool of the stem cells and thus there is not risk of any kind of refusal or infectivity during the transplantation process.

Cord blood stem cells have a better vivacity and know how concentrated aging because of the perpetuation techniques. Thus the cord blood stem cell can last for long as compared to the bone marrow stem cells. The cord blood is collected just after few minutes of the birth of the baby and thus has no adverse effect over its life.

Now throughout the world, there are many institutions and hospitals which have setup the cord blood cell research units within their premises so that best and quick service could be provided to the public.

If we compare the two cord blood banks, private or public, for the research work, public cord blood banking bags the better position than the private cord blood banks as in the private blood banks cord blood is only used by the donor. In public cord blood banks, the study is done for the service in the public interest. Thus the cord blood stem cell research remains uncontroversial, making the best use of the yield of the stem cell therapy.

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