Free Essay

Your Health: Umbilical Cord Blood Could Be Saving Lives

In:

Submitted By Jeypee
Words 767
Pages 4
Couples expecting a new baby will face dozens of important decisions and a seemingly endless to-do list. Expectant parents will choose an obstetrician or midwife, a birth center and a car seat for their child. They’ll spend hours haggling over baby names, preparing the nursery, shopping for baby clothes and stocking up on diapers and other newborn essentials. One of the most critical decisions new parents face is whether to collect and save their baby’s umbilical cord blood. They’ll only have one opportunity to do it: in the moments following their baby’s birth. Umbilical cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, considered to be the master cells of the body. Under the right conditions, these immature, “undecided” cells can be transformed to virtually any type of cell in the human body. For nearly two decades, these cells have been used in transplant medicine to treat more than 80 serious diseases, including leukemia and other blood disorders and cancers. Scientists at leading universities in the U.S. are exploring a growing list of other potential uses for cord blood stem cells. One of the most promising areas of stem cell research is regenerative medicine, in which an individual’s own stem cells are used to repair damaged or diseased tissues and organs. Clinical trials are underway to evaluate the benefits of using a child’s cord blood stem cells in the treatment of type 1 diabetes, heart defects, cerebral palsy and other brain injuries. “Cord blood stem cells are not the same as embryonic stem cells, which come from human embryos and are very controversial,” explained obstetrician-gynecologist Marra Francis of The Woodlands, Texas. “When cord blood cells are used to treat an illness, they’re administered to the individual intravenously, like a blood transfusion.” In the body, stem cells can trigger natural repair processes by reducing inflammation and increasing blood flow to injured or diseased areas. They also can stimulate the growth of new blood vessels and other tissues. “Parents have a right to be informed about cord blood banking so they can make the best decision for their child and their family,” said Gina Dado, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Scottsdale who banked her daughter’s cord blood with Cord Blood Registry over 11 years ago. When deciding the fate of their babies’ cord blood, parents have three options. They may donate it to a public bank, store it in a private banking facility or allow it to be discarded as medical waste. Donation to public banks may be free, but the cord blood is not reserved for the exclusive use of the child or the family that provided it. Parents who want to ensure that their baby’s cord blood will be available for their family’s use can store it with a private bank.
According to Dado, “For use in transplant medicine in the treatment of diseases such as leukemia or lymphoma, there’s a 75 percent chance that a baby’s cord blood will be a match for a sibling.” For storage at a private cord blood bank, the initial cost for collection and processing is about $2,000, with annual storage fees of around $125. In some cases, interest-free payment plans and gift registries are available. “For parents who elect to save their baby’s cord blood, the procedure is simple, painless and perfectly safe,” said Francis. “It takes less than five minutes.”
After the baby’s birth, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut in the usual manner. The end of the cord attached to the placenta is the source of cord blood and the valuable stem cells it contains. Once the doctor or midwife has collected the blood, it’s delivered to a cord blood bank, where it is given an identifying number and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Theoretically, the stem cells can last indefinitely if stored properly.
“With all the advances in stem cell technology, it makes good sense to save your child’s stem cells today,” said Dado. “We can only dream of the ways this valuable resource will be used in the future.” As the list of potential uses for cord blood stem cells continues to grow, it’s likely that medical treatment with the cells will become increasingly common. “I believe that if a child born today has a heart attack as an adult, the nurse at the hospital will ask, ‘Do you have your cord blood banked?’” said Francis. “There’s an excellent chance that the answer to this question will determine the first step of treatment.”

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Should Saviour Sibling Be Banned Essay

...Lola Rawding​​9.05.15 Should the Procedure of Selecting Saviour Siblings be Banned? You are a journalist for The Atlantic and aim to write an informative article for the Health Section, concerning the topic of Saviour Siblings and the consequences that may follow the procedure, whilst investigating the ethical and moral effects of the treatment. Your article should be between 1000-1200 words. IN DECEMBER 2010, the first Saviour Sibling procedure was carried out successfully in the UK. Megan Matthews, aged nine, received tissue donated by her 18-month old brother, Max, who was created specifically to help treat Megan’s illness. However, there is great concern about the psychological impact on a Saviour Sibling. The £6000 procedure includes the selection of an embryo (via HLA-tissue typing and PGD). Once the embryo has developed it could provide umbilical stem cells or tissue to an older sibling suffering from a serious medical condition, which may be treated by such donation. The 1990 HFE Act didn’t contain specific legislation with regards to the treatment of ‘saviour siblings.’ However, a number of high profile cases soon occurred to emphasise the need for clear-cut regulations surrounding the concept. Furthermore, the 2006 Department of Health review of the HFE Act 1990...

Words: 952 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Blood Donations: the Causes and Effects of Advertising

...Blood Donations: The Causes and Effects of Advertising There are many people walking the face of the earth at this very moment because of the unselfish benevolence and caring of blood donors throughout the United States. This generosity, without a doubt, is responsible for saving an immeasurable amount of lives each and every year. Many individuals simply don’t know what is involved with donating blood, so they don’t or can’t bring themselves to do it. For the scores of people who can’t, they could volunteer in other areas, including making financial contributions that would help with advertising costs. Educating the general public on the pros and cons of blood donation should be at the top of the list when advertising. When the twin towers were attacked on September 11, 2001, a record number of Americans donated blood in support of the tragedy on that day. According to Korcok (2002): So much donated blood was wasted after last year's Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that US blood banks have struck a special task force to ensure that it doesn't happen again. More than 200,000 units of whole blood had to be thrown away after Americans donated 500,000 extra units in September and October. Donated blood is discarded if it remains unused after 42 days... fewer than 260 units were actually needed to treat victims of the attacks in New York and Washington. This special task force is responsible for developing consistent advertising campaigns which will focus on specific...

Words: 1321 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Stem Cell Research

...this paper talk about what the current legislative state of affairs is and where the law on stem cells in the United States should go in the future and why. Make sure you use ample research and cited sources to support your arguments but make sure to state your own opinion on the issues as well. Stem Cell Research TJ AS OF: 2/4/2009--Introduced. Stem Cell Research Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells, regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo. Limits such research to stem cells that meet the following requirements: (1) the stem cells were derived from human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics, were created for the purposes of fertility treatment, and were in excess of the needs of the individuals seeking such treatment; (2) prior to donation, it was determined that the embryos would never be implanted in a woman and would otherwise be discarded; and (3) the individuals seeking fertility treatment donated the embryos with written informed consent and received no financial or other inducements. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to issue guidelines on research involving human embryonic stem cells. Authorizes the Director to issue guidelines on research involving other human stem cells, as scientifically warranted. Provides for updates of...

Words: 3563 - Pages: 15

Free Essay

Stem Cell

...stem cells are infinitely valuable, especially when considering all the potential applications in the field of medicine. Stem cells usage is a very controversial topic, because most people think of abortions, cloning, and other negative topics when they here the term stem cells. However I think those thoughts are because they don't understand what a stem cell is, where it comes from, or its monumental possibilities that could greatly benefit the medical field. In today’s medical world there is so much that can be done with stem cells whether it is generating new organs or saving an individual with terminal disease? There are already demonstrations of Stem cells possibilities, because treatment with stem cells has already begun. They have been taken from umbilical cords and become healthy red cells used to cure sickle-cell anemia. Stem cell therapy is also being used against certain types of cancer. Stem Cells are valuable due to the fact that they are non-designated and they have the ability to divide and multiply indefinitely. Thus, theoretically stem cells could fix and even replace any damaged or lost specific cells within a body. They are easily found in early embryos, but their numbers variety for development seems to become less in the adult stem cells. The information above is only what we know right now, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. If we know stem cells can already contribute to helping cancer, sickle-cell anemia, and repairing/replacing cells, then obviously...

Words: 1458 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Cells

... heart muscle, nerve cells, and other organs and tissue, researchers and doctors may better understand how a variety of diseases and conditions develop. * Generate healthy cells to replace diseased cells (regenerative medicine). Researchers hope they can train stem cells into becoming specific cells so that those specialized cells can be used to regenerate and repair diseased or damaged tissues in people. People who might benefit from stem cell therapies include those with spinal cord injuries, type 1 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and multiple sclerosis. Stem cells could also be grown to become new tissue for use in transplant medicine. * Test new drugs for safety and effectiveness. Before using new drugs in people, researchers could use stem cells to test the safety and quality of investigational drugs. For instance, nerve cells could be generated in order to test a new drug for a nerve disease. Tests could show whether the new drug had any effect on the cells and whether the cells...

Words: 19974 - Pages: 80

Premium Essay

Child Birth

...Prepared Childbirth (What is it and why is it important) Tuesday March 15, 2016 By: April Soto Prepared Childbirth Childbirth is not as simple as most may seem that it can be. In society women when wanting a baby has to go through childbirth. Child birth is when the mother to be gives birth which there are different ways to have a baby and also different ways to give birth. In this paper it will discuss what child birth is and why child birth is important. Education on Childbirth Some people may not me educated enough on childbirth so , please before you plan on making this decision to give birth educate yourself and your partner so that you can have a better feel about the life changing experience that is about to happen, think for the worst prepare yourself and , hope for the best. Watch video, search the web, read books and magazine. By education yourself with all the resource that are available nowadays you will have at ease birth if everything goes well. During Labor and Delivery in which both parents prepare there self’s for this is also called cooperative childbirth. The concept for all methods of prepared childbirth is education of the parents so they can participate and share the wonderful experience of childbirth. The benefits of this approach are believed to be a more comfortable pregnancy, a shorter period of labor, and for mom to have a less trauma during birth, and a decrease the stress level while giving birth to her new born. One technique...

Words: 2358 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Sample

...significant traits can be compared from each way of life. One of these differing practices is childbirth. Typically, Hmong women do not go for regular checkups, let alone see any medical professionals, for the duration of their pregnancy. Once it comes time to deliver the child, the mother gives birth in her own home, by herself, without making a sound as to not “thwart the birth” (Fadiman 1997, 3). No epidurals, medication, housewives, or nurses are utilized and the mother tends to take care of everything on her own. The only assistance the woman receives is a cup of hot water, upon request, from her husband who must avert his eyes. The woman would stand as she delivers, pushing the newborn into her arms. Her husband would then cut the umbilical cord with a pair of heated scissors. Because the spiritual side of life is so important to the Hmong, the placenta would be buried in the family’s hut so that “when the [child dies] his or her soul [can] travel back from place to place, retracing the path of its life geography, until it reaches the burial place of its placental ‘jacket’ and [puts] it on” (Faiman 1997, 5). After birth, women were to eat and drink warm liquids and follow a strict diet of steamed rice and chicken boiled in water with five special herbs (Fadiman 1997, 9). The child’s body would be washed thoroughly using stream water. Other spiritual traditions are also followed after the birth, such as the scarification of animals, warding off evil spirits (dabs), and a soul...

Words: 4069 - Pages: 17

Premium Essay

Where There Is No Doctor a Village Health Care Handbook 2010

...Where There Is No Doctor 2010 Where There Is No Doctor 2010 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data The Library of Congress has already cataloged the 10-digit ISBN as follows: Werner, David, 1934Where there is no doctor: a village health care handbook / by David Werner; with Carol Thuman and Jane Maxwell-Rev. ed. Includes Index. ISBN 0-942364-15-5 1. Medicine, Popular. 2. Rural health. I. Thuman, Carol, 1959-. II. Maxwell, Jane, 1941-. III Title. [DNLM: 1. Community Health Aides-handbooks. 2. Medicine-popular works. 3. Rural Health-handbooks. WA 39 W492W] RC81.W4813 1992 610-dc20 DNLM/DLC for Library of Congress 92-1539 CIP Published by: Hesperian 1919 Addison St., #304 Berkeley, California 94704 • USA hesperian@hesperian.org • www.hesperian.org Copyright © 1977, 1992, 2010 by the Hesperian Foundation First English edition: October 1977 Revised English edition: May 1992 Eleventh printing: July 2010 ISBN: 978-0-942364-15-6 The original English version of this book was produced in 1977 as a revised translation of the Spanish edition, Donde no hay doctor. Hesperian encourages others to copy, reproduce, or adapt to meet local needs, any or all parts of this book, including the illustrations, provided the parts reproduced are distributed free or at cost—not for profit. Any organization or person who wishes to copy, reproduce, or adapt any or all parts of this book for commercial purposes, must first obtain permission to do so from Hesperian. Please contact Hesperian before...

Words: 180635 - Pages: 723

Premium Essay

Robotic Surgery

...Running Head: TEAM B COURSE PROJECT Team B Course Project Final Draft April 20, 2013 Professor Aimee James DeVry University Abstract Robotic surgery is a described as when a surgeon uses robotic equipment to assist during a surgical procedure. The surgeon manipulates controls which send information to the robotic equipment, telling it what to do. This surgical technology can be used for a wide range of surgical procedures. There are multiple benefits from choosing this type of surgery, but can also cost more than laparoscopic. Robotic surgery has been discussed for over two decades. Over the last decade, it has increased in popularity and applicability. There are many economic concerns over the use of this technology such as the cost versus the applicable use. There are also concerns about the implications the use of this technology will have on the environment, as well as moral and ethical concerns. By providing background information and history of this technology, information on the use of this technology, economical, sociological, and psychological effects and concerns associated with this technology, and information on environmental implications and moral and ethical concerns of this technology, we hope to provide readers a basis to form an educated opinion on the applicability of remote and robotic surgery. Table of Contents Abstract (Jesse Edwards)…...……………………………………………….…………………….ii Introduction (Jesse Edwards)……………………………………………….……………………..1 ...

Words: 16482 - Pages: 66

Premium Essay

Ethics

... 30 THINKING CRITICALLY ABOUT WHAT YOU WRITE 35 THINKING CRITICALLY WHEN YOU DISCUSS 36 REASONING TEST QUESTIONS 36 T H I N K I N G C R I T I C A L L Y A B O U T E T H I C A L I S S U E S We don’t cover any particular step or steps in this section—you can, and should, apply all of your critical thinking skills when you think about ethical issues (hence, the entire template is bolded)! Template for critical analysis of arguments 1. What’s the point (claim/opinion/conclusion)? s Look for subconclusions as well. 2. What are the reasons/what is the evidence? s s Articulate all unstated premises. Articulate connections. 3. What exactly is meant by . . .? s s s Define terms. Clarify all imprecise language. Eliminate or replace “loaded” language and other manipulations. 4. Assess the reasoning/evidence: s s If deductive, check for truth/acceptability and validity. If inductive, check for truth/acceptability, relevance, and sufficiency. 5. How could the argument be strengthened? s s Provide additional reasons/evidence. Anticipate objections—are there adequate responses? 6. How could the argument be weakened? s s Consider and assess counterexamples, counterevidence, and counterarguments. Should the argument be modified or rejected because of counterarguments? 7. If you suspend...

Words: 14346 - Pages: 58

Free Essay

Anatomy of Violence

...Anatomy of Violence Paper December 2013 The Anatomy of Violence is a non-fiction book, written by Adrian Raine, which investigates and presents facts to prove a neurocriminology hypothesis. Adrian Raine conducted experiments, researched and studied the biological roots of violence. He inaugurated neurocriminology, a newer field that incorporates neuroscience methods with the intention of examining the causes of violent criminal acts. Raine analyzes criminal minds. He pieces together research, data, and experiments of psychology, neurology, and criminology in order to inform the public of this new notion which sheds a new light on why people are or become violent criminals. This book was very interesting, well-explained, an easy read and the author incorporated many scientific examples to back up his theories. Adrian Raine takes us on a scientific expedition and exposes brain malfunction to be the cause of violent criminal acts. Raine’s theories are interesting and definitely bring forth many important questions however, while reading, I found some of his concepts are difficult to fully envision for logical reasons. A number of his concepts give an overreaching impression and are a bit too broad. While Raine brings up many valid points, I found myself asking important questions while reading Anatomy of Violence. Does this new research and belief give criminals a “Get out of jail free” card? While reading this book, I asked myself, Will this new theory allow...

Words: 9369 - Pages: 38

Free Essay

Environmental Article

...together, it’s called the materials economy. Well, I looked into it a little bit more. In fact, I spent 10 years traveling the world tracking where our stuff comes from and where it goes.1 And you know what I found out? That is not the whole story. There’s a lot missing from this explanation. For one thing, this system looks like it’s fine. No problem. But the truth is it’s a system in crisis. And the reason it is in crisis is that it is a linear system and we live on a finite planet and you can not run a linear system on a finite planet indefinitely.2 Every step along the way, this system is interacting with the real world. In real life it’s not happening on a blank white page. It’s interacting with societies, cultures, economies, the environment. And all along the way, it’s bumping up against limits. Limits we don’t see here because the diagram is incomplete. So let’s go back through, let’s fill in some of the blanks and see what’s missing. Well, one of the most important things that is missing is people. Yes, people. People live and work all along this system. And some people in this system matter a little more than others; some have a little more say. Who are they? Well, let’s start with the government. Now my friends3 tell me I should use a tank to symbolize the government and that’s true in many countries and increasingly in our own, afterall more than 50% of our federal tax money...

Words: 11294 - Pages: 46

Free Essay

Eqweqeqqe

...Praise for The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down “Fadiman describes with extraordinary skill the colliding worlds of Western medicine and Hmong culture.” —The New Yorker “This fine book recounts a poignant tragedy…It has no heroes or villains, but it has an abundance of innocent suffering, and it most certainly does have a moral…[A] sad, excellent book.” —Melvin Konner, The New York Times Book Review “An intriguing, spirit-lifting, extraordinary exploration of two cultures in uneasy coexistence…A wonderful aspect of Fadiman’s book is her even-handed, detailed presentation of these disparate cultures and divergent views—not with cool, dispassionate fairness but rather with a warm, involved interest that sees and embraces both sides of each issue…Superb, informal cultural anthropology—eye-opening, readable, utterly engaging.” —Carole Horn, The Washington Post Book World “This is a book that should be deeply disturbing to anyone who has given so much as a moment’s thought to the state of American medicine. But it is much more…People are presented as [Fadiman] saw them, in their humility and their frailty—and their nobility.” —Sherwin B. Nuland, The New Republic 3/462 “Anne Fadiman’s phenomenal first book, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, brings to life the enduring power of parental love in an impoverished refugee family struggling to protect their seriously ill infant daughter and ancient spiritual traditions from the tyranny of welfare bureaucrats and intolerant...

Words: 134140 - Pages: 537

Free Essay

Goat Farming Feasibility Study

...Acknowledgement First, the proponents would like to thank our beloved Professor, Mrs. Jasmine Fontanilla in giving us this opportunity to make this feasibility study. We really learned a lot in this study especially when we are having our brainstorms, we enjoyed it so much. Great thanks to our parents who give their support to us in doing this study. They give us the financial support, accommodation and inspiration in doing this study. The proponents would also like to acknowledge the respondents that respond to the questionnaires, the JSJ goat farm, Central Luzon State University – small ruminants. And to others that assists us. We appreciate it so much. Of course, we also want to thank all the people who help us in this study. We want to give our deepest gratitude to them. To our panel members, Mrs. Jhonnel Panlilio and Mrs. Winnie Fe for giving us advice and additional information about our project, for the corrections and some suggestions to improve this feasibility. Above all, we would like to thank our Almighty God in guiding us while we are doing this study especially when we are travelling around Central Luzon to get information. This study won’t be possible and successful without the guidance of our Almighty God. The Proponents INTRODUCTION The agricultural sector of Tarlac City contributes approximately 18% to the overall GDP generated by the municipality, constituting a slightly larger proportion of the economy on a local level than for...

Words: 17392 - Pages: 70

Free Essay

Medical Surgical Nursing

...00_078973706x_fm.qxd 1/14/08 2:42 PM Page i NCLEX-PN ® SECOND EDITION Wilda Rinehart Diann Sloan Clara Hurd 00_078973706x_fm.qxd 1/14/08 2:42 PM Page ii NCLEX-PN® Exam Cram, Second Edition Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Nor is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. ISBN-13:978-0-7897-2706-9 ISBN-10: 0-7897-3706-x Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Rinehart, Wilda. NCLEX-PN exam cram / Wilda Rinehart, Diann Sloan, Clara Hurd. -- 2nd ed. p. cm. ISBN 978-0-7897-3706-9 (pbk. w/cd) 1. Practical nursing--Examinations, questions, etc. 2. Nursing--Examinations, questions, etc. 3. National Council Licensure Examination for Practical/Vocational Nurses--Study guides. I. Sloan, Diann. II. Hurd, Clara. III. Title. RT62.R55 2008 610.73'076--dc22 2008000133 Printed in the United States of America First Printing: February 2008 Trademarks All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been appropriately...

Words: 177674 - Pages: 711