Yeserday, David Burrowes MP's Umbilical Cord Blood (Donation) Bill received its Second Reading. It aims to promote the donation of umbilical cord blood, a vast and ethically unproblematic potential source of stem cells.
The Bill calls on the Government to encourage pregnant women to donate their umbilical cord blood; to raise awareness of the value of umbilical cord blood in treating disease and research; to promote the collection of cord blood samples from, among others, minority groups and mixed race families (where there may be a history of diseases that may be treatable by the use of cord blood); to issue guidance to doctors and midwives to inform pregnant women about umbilical cord blood and where it can be collected; and to inform Parliament annually of the number of cord samples donated, the number of cord blood transplants and their therapeutic use.
Mr Burrowes writes:
“In this country umbilical cord blood is routinely thrown away after birth and its life saving value is wasted. Only 4 hospitals collect cord blood, less than 1,000 cord blood samples are stored at the NHS bank each year, and less than 200 cord blood transplants have taken place in the UK. Many sufferers of leukaemia or blood related disorders are forced to search overseas for an appropriate cord blood match. At a time when the Government is pushing through the Human Fertilisation and Embryo Bill for the UK to be a world leader in regenerative medicine it is a timely opportunity to support stem cell therapy which has a proven record when it comes to treatments. The Bill supports an ethical and convenient alternative to embryonic sources of stem cells. It also supports a greater understanding of cord blood and opportunities for donation to help parents who are waiting desperately for treatment for their children with diseases such as leukaemia.”
The debate was adjourned, and will resume next Friday.
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the helpful post! thanks
ReplyDeleteс уважением Alex
In my very strong opinion, banking core blood should not be controversial what-so-ever. In fact, due to the benefits the core blood may one day offer if ever necessary, banking it should become a requirement or automatic. The only thing that should be controversial is the COST involved.
ReplyDeleteWe encourage everyone to bank their baby’s cord blood privately so they will always have that peace of mind knowing it’s always available.
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