After childbirth, cord blood can be taken from the placenta or the umbilical cord. This blood is a fluid consisting of platelets, cells, and plasma. This type of blood is used as an alternate method in stem cell research. Other methods of harvesting stem cells include embryo and bone marrow. Researchers tell us that through the proper manipulation of stem cells the future of medicine will offer a whole new approach at treating genetic disorders and other medical conditions.

Once having delivered a newborn the doctor then clamps and cuts the umbilical cord which was for nine months the life line of a new addition to humanity. Through this cord attached to the placenta the unborn child received nutrients such as oxygen that kept it healthy. The process of harvesting cord blood takes only fifteen minutes or so and is done under the strictest medically clean conditions. It does not harm the newborn and it is painless for the mother.

The blood, containing the DNA structure specific to the newborn, is initially dripped in a bag supplied by a source such as the Red Cross society. The bag and it's content is then delivered to an umbilical cord banking facility where it is held in a frozen state ( cryopreservation ) until a time when it is required by medical staff to treat a genetic malfunction or any of a number of diseases or medical conditions in the infant or at a later period in this particular humans life. However the blood can also be used in the treatment of family members or even of the general public under some circumstances.

Stem cells are precursor cells meaning that they have the ability to differentiate themselves into different forms. These primitive stem cells are trapped at a stage where they can transform themselves to a particular type of cell.

• Erythrocytes - these red blood cells transport oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the tissues of the body. Through respiration they are rid of toxins which are accumulated while the erythrocyte moves through the veins, arteries.

• Lymphocytes - these white or nearly colorless blood cells make up about 25% of the blood content within a human. They help in regulating the auto immune system. The two prime types of lymphocytes are T-cells and B-cells.

• Platelets - these are colorless irregular shaped cells which go into action when blood loss occurs. Platelets from clots that clog up the area that is ruptured.

• Phagocytes - these cells help the bodies immune system by eating up bacteria, viruses, and dead or injured body tissues. There are three types of phagocytes: dendritic, macrophage, granulocytes.

Regenerative medicine, or that area of medicine which deals with the fabrication of tissues and organs, is growing rapidly and the medical uses of stem cells such as those harvested from umbilical cord blood are growing along with the accelerated research.

Any human disease or medical condition is a candidate for stem cell therapy.

A short list of such conditions and diseases which have been the subject of stem cell therapy would include injury repair through tissue regeneration due to heart attacks, stroke, osteoporosis, inherited disorders, etc.

For a more extensive list of how umbilical cord blood and stem cell therapy is used in modern regenerative medicine I suggest the following link.

Cord Blood bank of Canada

Cord blood banks fall under one of two categories. They can be either private or public.

Private blood banks are geared more towards banking blood that will be used at a later date for the specific donor. This encourages a whole array of commercialism by companies who target expecting parents or even of couples planning a family. Storing blood is expensive and it is never a guarantee that this blood will ever be used in the future. So the argument goes that an investment in frozen blood is similar to an investment in insurance. How much is one willing to pay for future security by harvesting and storing cord blood?

The public blood bank argument.

Thousands of people are diagnosed each year with having a condition or disease that could be treated through stem cell therapy. A public cord blood banking system is a storage of frozen specimens donated by the public. The public bank argument holds that the availability of such blood is very important in that an ample and ready supply of umbilical cord blood goes a long way to fighting the battle against disease such as sickle cell anemia, leukemia, etc.

Both sides of the argument have their merits. Both sides offer some hope for preserving the future health of the immediate family and of the public.