Cord blood stem cells are human cells that have the potential to develop into many different types of cells in the body. These cells come from umbilical cord blood that can be saved after the birth of a baby. Similar to embryonic stem cells, which are very controversial, the cord blood stem cells are much easier to obtain and are readily available. The cells are taken from umbilical cord blood and can be grown outside the body in a laboratory.
Cord blood stem cells therapy has the potential to use stem cells to or replace organs in the body that are damaged from illness or disease. Scientists are already using cord stem cells in the treatment of many diseases. The list of potential areas of use is almost endless. The stem cells are in the very early stages of development and have the potential to turn into specialized cells such as liver cell, nerve cells or lung cells to name just a few.
The scientific community is optimistically hopeful that these cells will be able to allow regeneration of organs in the human body. Researchers have already used the technique to grow limited versions of lungs, liver and other body organs in the lab. The potential for treatment is huge because of the large supply of cord stem cells that are available. This allows for increased research and development increasing the potential for finding cures more rapidly than ever thought possible.
Even more promising, umbilical cord stem cells therapy is less prone to rejection than previous methods such as embryonic stem cell or bone marrow transplant. The cells in the umbilical cord are much less developed and therefore may not have taken on characteristics that the immune system would recognize and reject.
New stem cell banks are now available to store a baby’s own stem cells for future use. Research has shown that stem cells from your own body may be the best way of using cord blood stem cells therapy. Parents can sign up for the program before the birth. The hospital will then collect the umbilical cord blood to the proper bank for processing. The bank will test the blood and place it in preservation containers. The stem cells are then “frozen” for potential future use.
Cord blood stem cells therapy has an exciting future with many possibilities to provide people with advanced disease repair and treatment. While there is still much research to be done, the advancements are profound and important and will continue to proceed at a rapid pace.
Author:
Greg White
HealthStatus.com
Learn more about cord blood stem cells, how they can be used, preserved and more at http://www.cordbloodstemcells.info a popular website that discusses the potential benefits and issues associated with stem cells from cord blood.
Source: www.articlesbase.com
