Stem cells and cord blood

[KC2OSO]

Does anybody here know if there is a difference between the stem cells in the umbilical cord between the mother and the baby and the `grown' embryonic stem cells that are currently so hotly debated?

The reason I ask is that before my wife had had our baby, I saw a brochure in the doctor's office that suggested we might donate the umbilical cord and blood for medical research because it contained stem cells. I thought `cool' here's a great way to contribute. Well, it seems I was being na‹ve.

I asked our doctor about it and he doesn't do that because it takes `extra time' and costs the hospital money so I guess they threw it away or took and didn't pay for it.

So, if it's the money, is growing an embryo in utero and harvesting it cheaper than saving the cord blood?

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[newport king]

probably not, the doctors might just be too lazy to do it. sad thing is if that cord blood is stored somewhere it may eventually save someones life. but no, it takes more time and a little more money.

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[reeshy]

Like the old saying..."Money talks and bullshit walks"...it's always financial!!!!

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[Mike Teacher]

For the doctor part, Reeshy's been in Medicine way more then me, and from what i've read, thats exactly it; the doctors/hospital would actually have to bother to pay for keeping/preserving the cells.

=

The larger debate, if I can get on a soapbox, only coz i'm figuring it out as I go along is this: different people feel 'life' and 'human' life begins at different points. Some say its gradual and doesnt go step by step. Anyway here's some steps:

Sperm
Egg ...once the sperm enters it becomes one cell =

Zygote ...then it begins to divide: 2,4,8, it gets to a ball of cells called a

Blastula ... many start to throw in "Embryo" here too, the multicellular thing

and then what about where it is? Is a blastula 'more potentially human' when it implants itself and is about to start the process?

and then when does the Embryo become a fetus? Opinion vary; thats more $5 words.

=

But, some say its a Human Life when it's the Zygote, or the blastula, or some other point. For those who believe these are human lives, then for them, the disposal of these at IVF clinics and research places might be seen as destroying a Human Life.

And Pandora's Box opens...

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[angrymissy]

my friend just had a baby and she had the cord blood "banked" for her baby. It cost around $1500 if I remember correctly, but it wasn't donated, it's being saved in case her family ever needs it.

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[Dudeman]

Embryonic and cord or adult stem cells are different.

Stem cells, by definition, are cells that divide to give 2 cells: 1 cell is the same as the original cell, and 1 cell goes on to diferentiate (ie. it becomes a"functioning cell" like a blood cell, intestinal cell, neuron, etc.) The key is that that cell that is like the original cell can itself go on to divide and give rise to another "differentiated cell" and another stem cell. In turn, you have a relatively endless supply of cells (this isn't quite accurate, but close enough.)

A very important distinction needs to be made between embryonic stem cells and adult or cord stem cells. Embryonic stem cells can give rise to basically any cell type, when put in the right condition- ie, Dopamine producing neuron (for Parkinsons), or insulin producing pancreas cell (for Juvenille Diabetes.) Adult stem cells or cord stem cells, while qualifying as stem cells based on the above definition, generally do not have the ability to become varying cell type. (This idea is being challenged by scientists, so it may not be absolute.) In other words, bone marrow and cord stem cells become blood cells, gut stem cells give rise to gut tissue, the relatively recently discovered neuronal stem cells give rise to neurons. That is why they are more difficult to be used for theraputic purposes.

As for donating cord stem cells... I saw patients during my heme /onc rotation who had a leukemia and were thrilled to find a cord donor match. (Basically what has happened to them is that their blood cells are messed up (including their bone marrow stem cells) so they are receiving new blood stem cells that are going to produce many new healthy blood cells.)


The bottom line- cord stem cells and embryonic stem cells are not equal stem cells.

As for the price, etc.- I don't know.


-I'll log off now, and listen to your
response.-

[KC2OSO]

Thanks Dudeman.

I knew I came to the right place.

Rf.net - medical advice, Frank Black LAL!, and all you ever wanted to know about Chuck Floyd.

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[sr71blackbird]

Sounds like my company, we have these advertisements and when people call and ask about them, we havent a clue as to how to actually go about doing it and when we ask about it, management gives us the blank stare and says "its not out job". You might wonder why they have the brochures in the waiting room then, and youd be right to think that because your question is a legitimate concern with profound medically ethical consideration and the fact that the doctor is blowing it off as a triviality that they are out of touch with the realities of their own office and they dont have their fingers on the pulse of the people. Theyd rather not entertain anything that encourages any more burocracy, and yet they on dependent on that burocracy. Its the old enigma wrapped in a riddle gig.
I know many people who have had their own kids embrionic stem cells harvested from their umbillical cords and frozen for possible future use, and its legitimate and a good idea. I dont think the cost of their storage is all that expensive and if in the event that your kid needs them in the future, youll be very glad you had them saved!

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