Are cord blood stem cells different than other types of stem cells?
Yes. Cord blood stem cells are unique in a number of ways. Because these stem cells are the “youngest” form of stem cells, they more easily adapt, which means that the donor and recipient do not have to be a perfect match. This sets cord blood apart from bone marrow stem cells, the most commonly used source of stem cells. Bone marrow stem cells are also not readily available, and collection is very painful. Unlike embryonic stem cells, which have faced significant ethical criticism, cord blood stem cells are not a source of ethical debate. These stem cells are already in the umbilicus and placenta and unless donated or privately banked, are unnecessarily discarded as medical waste.
Yes. Umbilical cord blood stem cells are the “youngest,” safely available stem cells and they are the product of another miracle – a live birth. Freezing these cells essentially stops the clock and prevents aging and damage that may occur to the cells later in life. Another source of stem cells, embryonic stem cells, has been at the heart of heated debate. Currently, embryonic stem cells are not being used to treat humans. A third category of stem cells is adult stem cells, such as those found in bone marrow. Adult stem cells serve very specialized roles in children and adults and are not as proliferative as those found in cord blood.
