Jul 14, 2008

Nature's Miracle Substance: Umbilical Cord Blood

by Aimee Herd (July 12, 2008
Source: John Mckenzie, Lenny Bourin – ABC News

It does not involve the killing of human embryos, and it has been used to treat over 60 diseases, including Leukemia, Sickle Cell Anemia and blood cancers. Umbilical cord blood contains wonder-working stem cells. But all too often this "miracle substance" is simply disposed of.

Cord bloodAccording to Dr. Elizabeth Shpall, head of the M.D. Anderson Cord Blood Bank, it is still a "vast majority" of women who do not realize what they are allowing to be thrown away when they don't allocate their newborn's umbilical cord blood to be donated.

Yet, this wonderfully stem-cell-rich substance has been used to successfully treat so many diseases. (Photo: ABC News)

Many pregnant women are simply not aware of the medical value and the opportunity for treatments that can come from donating the cord blood when their baby is born.

The fact is, umbilical cord blood could be the perfect, ethical alternative to using embryonic stem cells (which haven't really worked in trials anyway). Cord blood does not involve the killing of human embryos, and it has been used to treat over 60 diseases, including Leukemia, Sickle Cell Anemia and blood cancers. Umbilical cord blood contains wonder-working stem cells. But all too often this amazing substance is simply disposed of.

Calling cord blood a "medical miracle," Dr. Robert Jones, head of the New York Blood Center, noted that cord blood "has the same kinds of stem cells that are in bone marrow and can, in fact, substitute for bone marrow…for a patient who needs a bone marrow transplant."

According to the ABC News report, "As many as 10-thousand Americans each year could benefit from donated cord blood, but there is such a shortage that many will die waiting."

To learn more about donating umbilical cord blood, and its benefits, CLICK HERE, or follow the source link provided.

Thanks to Breaking Christian News for this article!


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