What are They and What are they Used for?
Not so long ago, the average American had not heard of stem cells, let alone umbilical cord stem cells. Today stem cells are at the heart of a very heated debate taking place all over the country. What are these controversial cells and why are people so passionate about whether or not they should be harvested, stored and used?
Before getting into cells that are specific to the umbilical cord, a brief overview of stem cells is needed. Stem cells are cells that have yet to “decide” what they are going to be. When a baby is conceived, the cells that make up the embryonic stage have not yet been “programmed” to become anything specific. These cells are concerned only with reproducing themselves to create enough cells to form a fully functioning human being. As the embryo develops into a fetus, the “unprogrammed” cells mature and become liver cells, skin cells, blood cells, etc.
Stem cells are in high demand by the medical community because, according to medical experts, these cells have the potential to heal many life threatening disorders and diseases. It is theorized that, because the stem cells do not yet “know” what they are going to be, that they can be implanted in a fully grown human being and develop into healthy new cells that can be used to replace diseased or unhealthy cells that are present.
Umbilical cord stem cells are especially valuable because, unlike embryonic stem cells (which are under fire constantly as the medical field has not yet found a way to reconcile the moral issues surrounding their research), these cells can be harvested without destroying an embryo or even harming the infant. The cells are taken from the umbilical cord after the baby is born.
Umbilical cord stem cells are not the same as embryonic stem cells, though some embryonic stem cells have been found in umbilical cord blood. Even so, umbilical cord stem cells are thought to be able to help treat and perhaps even cure cancers like lymphoma and leukemia. It can also be used to treat disorders like sickle cell anemia and Hurler Syndrome. Current research shows that the cells collected from umbilical cord blood can help patients of almost any age. Right now it looks like 70 is about the age cut off because, beyond that age, the damage that has been done by a disease or the treatment of a disease is too permanent. According to a study done in 2004, the average age of a patient receiving treatment from umbilical stem cells is 49 (in patients polled aged 19-69).
Umbilical cord stem cells can easily be donated at the time of an infant’s birth. The cells can be donated to a public bank or stored in a private banking facility in case family members find themselves in need of serious medical treatment in the future.
