Cord Blood Stem Cells Information

stem cells?

Why do people have to pay so much for stem cells? It comes from our body. If I wanted to draw the blood out from the umbillical cord myself w/ a syringe, and store it in my freezer, Why not? What are our rights when it comes to our baby's stem cells? Does someone have more information on my concerns?

Public Comments

http://www.cordpartners.com/
Embryonic stem cells are the expensive ones, they are different than the stem cells taken from an umbilical cord or an adult. Embryos have pluriponic (sp) stem cells, meaning they can become any cell in the body. Umbilical cords and adults have multiponic (sp) stem cells, they can only become certain cells in the body. The rare stem cells come from embryos and are much more useful. No you cannot take stem cells out with a syringe and store it in your freezer....for the same reason you can perform your own open heart surgery. Your house isn't sterile, you dont have the proper equipment, etc. As of now there are little written laws on the rights of stem cell donors because the research is so new, but researchers have enough of the adult stem cells, they really want the embryonic stem cells.
Stem cells - any tissue for that matter - need to be stored at much much much colder temperatures than your home freezer can reach. They need to be properly prepared for storage, as well. If you don't store them exactly properly, they won't be alive when you thaw them. It costs a lot of money for three main reasons. First, the company must properly harvest and prepare the cord blood (or whatever source), freeze it, store it for years, pay their lease, pay their power bill (huge - nothing like a home freezer). Second, they company must pay for their advertisements. Think of all the places they prey on expectant parents, making them think they're irresponsible parents who don't love their babies if they don't buy this service! Third, they charge that much because they CAN. Enough people will pay that much to make their company profitable. These are companies - corporations - they are NOT there for you. They are there for themselves. You do have rights where your baby's stem cells are concerned. You can opt to not store them. Beyond that, you only have what 'rights' the contract you sign gives you. Hope that helps! (sorry - I'm very disgusted with storage companies)