The Debate on Cord Blood Banking.

Many debates have sprung up on cord blood banking in relation to its supposed significance and medical benefit, with the pros and cons to the issue. These debates are well represented by its accusers and defenders.

Cord blood banking process immediately starts after the birth of a newborn child; the residual blood is collected from the umbilical cord and the placenta and placed in sterilized, sealed containers. It is a simple and safe procedure that poses no health risks to both mother and child. Cord blood can be collected both from normal and caesarian birth deliveries.

Upon collection, the cord blood is frozen, stored and kept in liquid nitrogen with a temperature of negative 196. Celsius (-196 C). The preserved cord blood has a shelf life of up to 15 years in which in can still be usable for transplantation.

But before freezing and storage, the cord blood units must be thoroughly screened and checked for any signs of infectious diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis among others.

As cord blood banking is relatively new, which started in 1995, conclusive proof as to its medical beneficial use is still to be widely proven. But as proof of its growing popularity, many blood cord banks have been created especially in Europe and the Americas. Though the years a sizable increase in the number of couples banking their child's cord blood was noted. The trend in turn churned out numerous cord blood banking companies into fore. Before there were simple blood banks, now it's saving with a difference. Cord Blood Banking, it's the wave of the future!

Cord blood banking has two kinds: private and public cord banks. Around 75% of the total cord blood banks found worldwide are public or non-profit which are for public service and survive through donations. Numerous public blood cord banks accept donations for use by the needing public; donated cord blood though is lost to the original blood source forever.

On the other hand, private blood cord banks, which comprise 25% of the total cord blood banks, charge more or less $2,000.00 to bank cord blood for their customers' private use.

Cord blood banks number around 100 to date worldwide, mostly in Europe , USA and Canada. A few exist in Asia and Australia and none in Africa. It is easier for white patients to avail of cord blood in banks compared with blacks or Asians since most cord blood banks are in Western countries.

The cord blood banks have set up a network wherein they communicate and at the same time exchange blood samples. Through a system of cooperation, they enhance their network's system of donors and recipients. Due to the increasing proliferation of cord blood banks in Europe and the Americans, many sectors have called for government regulation and monitoring for strict compliance of safety and preservation methods on the same level as with traditional blood banks.

For the public safety, national and federal government regulators should consider drafting and creating the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) when it comes to cord blood bank operations. Legislation, regulation and monitoring are needed at the soonest possible time to assure quality safety standards in existing and in future blood cord banks. Cord Blood Banking is definitely the wave of the future. Saving with a difference.

For more information on cord blood banking, visit Blood Cord Bank.