Millions of pregnant women are being urged by their OB-GYNs to store their newborn’s umbilical cord blood as a form of biological insurance. The hope is that the stem cells in the cord blood could potentially be used in the future to treat various illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, or autism. Many families are willing to pay thousands of dollars for this service, with over two million umbilical cord samples currently stored in warehouses across the country.
However, an investigation by The New York Times has revealed that the leading cord blood banks have not been entirely truthful about the potential benefits of storing cord blood. Despite the initial optimism surrounding the use of cord blood for medical treatments, advances in technology have made it more common to use adult stem cells for transplants. As a result, doctors are not utilizing cord blood as frequently as before.
Furthermore, many parents who attempt to withdraw cord blood samples for medical purposes often find that the samples are either unusable due to low volume or contaminated with microbes. This discrepancy between the promises made by cord blood banks and the reality of the situation has raised concerns about the effectiveness of cord blood storage.
Although private cord blood banks continue to promote the lifesaving potential of cord blood, the actual usage of these stored samples in medical treatments has been minimal. Despite this, sales representatives from these banks continue to market cord blood as a cutting-edge medical technology, offering incentives to both customers and healthcare providers.
In light of these findings, it is important for expectant parents to carefully consider the true benefits and limitations of storing cord blood for their children. While the idea of having a biological insurance policy for future illnesses may be appealing, the actual utility of cord blood in medical treatments remains uncertain. It is essential for families to weigh the costs and potential risks associated with cord blood storage before making a decision.
