Umbilical cord blood stem cells: issues with private and public banks.

The first successful umbilical cord haematopoietic stem cell transplant was performed in 1988. The realization of the promise of umbilical cord blood (UCB) created an impetus to store this resource, which was for the most part simply discarded after the baby’s birth. While most experts agree that autologous use of UCB is unlikely at this point in time, private companies have realized the lucrative potential of this untapped source and are rapidly targeting expecting parents to persuade them into private storage. This paper presents a brief scientific overview of umbilical cord haematopoietic stem cells and a critical analysis of the ethical and legal quandaries of public and private banking. From a legal standpoint, we argue that if the status of cord blood is uncertain, ownership rights over cord blood stem cells will remain blurred. We also maintain that, absent proper regulation of umbilical cord blood banking and donor solicitation, scientific progress in this field will not translate into better health for society to the extent that it could and should.